the birthday weekend

i had a pretty big birthday this past weekend.  really big.  huge.  i'm still in denial about this birthday.  it's a problem with me.  however!  it was the best birthday ever and here's why: i'm super, duper spoiled.  i have the best husband, ever!  and amazingly killer kids too.  here's what i woke up to:

breakfast made by the boys

isn't that the cutest?  the boys made me breakfast.  apparently we were out of fruit, so, i got carrots instead.  genius.  lovely coke zero with the straw.  these boys know me well.  the handmade card is my fave. 

my balloons...too bad you can't see my favorite, it says
"fabulous, flirty & 30"

hubs & the kids brought me some balloons, which are my favorite.  seriously.  balloons make me all warm & fuzzy inside.  aren't they just happy in their floatiness?

the gorgeous view from our hotel

as if that wasn't enough, husband surprised me with a night away  downtown.  this is the lovely view from our hotel room.  you'll see my alma mater, the university of utah, to the right.  such a gorgeous blue sky with those mountains!  i missed those mountains, a lot, when i lived away.  i need to appreciate the beauty of utah a lot more.  oh, yes i do!

the best mojito from the cheesecake factory 

in true "me" style, had to go to cheesecake factory for an early dinner/late lunch.  i know, cliche, but, i love that cheesecake factory!  there's always a wait, no matter what time of day you're there, but, i'll tell you what, the food is always yum, and lordinheaven get yourself a mojito.  you will thank me.  it's worth the calories to get the cheesecake too.  hello.  it is the cheesecake factory. 

city creek

as i'm completely out of the loop, i finally had the chance to check out city creek.  it's pretty cool.  lovely atmosphere...it's a big mall.  there you go. 

snow patrol at the depot

oh, the snow patrol!  what a fabulous show!  i love the depot, the sound is awesome and it's a smaller venue, so, you really feel part of the show.  i knew every single song and belted my little heart out (oh, if i could sing!).  snow patrol is a favorite of mine.  i'm a bit of a music snob, so, this is saying something.

brunch at the grand america

desert at the grand america

mercy!  have you ever had brunch at the grand america?  of course you have, you get out!  me, not so much!  i've heard about it for years & years & years.  i did grow up in utah, you know.  and before the grand america breakfast buffet, you had the little america breakfast buffet (which i hear is also fabulous, but, since i never get out, i've never been...).  let. me. tell. you.  holy wow.  i can't begin to express the awesomeness that is this buffet.  the restaurant is fabulously gorgeous, live music, amazing tables filled with divine treats at every turn.  i didn't want to leave.  ever.  i dream about it.

aren't i the luckiest girl alive?  don't i know it!  kind of makes getting older a little more bearable.  a little.  i'm still in denial and i plan to stay there for a very long time.  

thanks to the hubs & my kiddles for giving me the best birthday ever!!!

xoxo

you know, that one i always talk about?

oh sweet sadie!  may 3, 4 & 5 in daybreak

this is so totally happening! i know you're excited!  it's really going to be a fantastic weekend.  my favorite weekends start thursday night, don't you know? and oh sweet sadie! always starts with a big shindig.  prizes, music, food, and let us not forget about the shopping.  oh the shopping!  lots of amazing vendors with all kinds of cool goodies to buy!  and just in time for mother's day (giant sigh of relief right there!).  and in amazing coincidence (or is it?), the blogger's retreat, breathing space, will be taking place at the same time!  can you say, party time up in the daybreak?  i can.  and i will!

do mark your calendars for may 3, 4 & 5.  head on up to the daybreak and get your shopping on.

start saving your pennies now, peeps.  it's going to be supa fun!

xo

breathing space-a blogger's retreat

soda row at daybreak

question:

have you ever gone to a blogger's retreat and/or conference?  i've seen several of them amongst the bloggers i stalk, but, i've never been to one myself.  i've just signed myself up for, breathing space, up in daybreak.  i'm a bit excited, really.  we get to spend the night in some fabulous houses, there are several amazing classes to take, and there are two themed dinners.  'stepford wives' (which is eerily perfect if you've ever been to daybreak) and a 'mexican fiesta'.  

did i mention fabulous sponsors?  two words: diet coke.  sign me up. my favorite cupcake/cake bite creator, sweet tooth fairy, is another...chick fil a, the corner bakery, & oh sweet sadie! just to name a few!  the killer part is my favorite boutique, oh sweet sadie! will be going on during the retreat.  win! win!  so, there you are, classes, food, more food, & shopping.  not to mention dressing up and getting away from your children.  whom i adore, don't get me wrong, but, you catch my drift, i'm sure.

i've got my camera at the ready, for there will be some serious picture taking (the fabulous emilie, from 'photo by emilie' will be teaching a class-huzzah!) and blogging about following this fabulous weekend!

do stay tuned!

xo

for easter

so, in true "me" style, i've gotten a little obsessed with a new pattern.

of course, it's not new (i'm a bit behind, you know), but, it's new to me.

i'm loving the Feliz pattern.  it's fabulous.  talk to me about twirling.  

yuzzah!

the little girls need to twirl.

a lot.

so, with easter coming up, i thought, "perfect!".   

another excuse to make more clothes for my little girls.

as if i need an excuse, but, let's try to justify it, shall we?

so, here they are in their easter garb..

i just love these fabrics together, aren't they fun?

these lovely little dresses are pretty fun to make.  

the only downside is the amount of fabric they require.

yeesh.

saylor's dress took over three yards of fabric. 

three!

totally worth it, of course.  

i told you about the twirl factor, right?

the Feliz is basically an underdress with a pinafore style apron on top.

you can even tuck in the straps and wear it as a skirt.

how clever is that?

reminds me of some really cute pillowcase dresses i've seen somewhere.

happy spring!

xo

another day at the beach

warning!

lots of pictures.  

we haven't been on a family vacation, for like, ever.

we got to spend some time at the beach.

so. lovely.

warm.

sunshine.

fabulous way to start out the month of march!

xo

this little, big trip

so we've been away. our happy place. oh, it has been far too long. glorious weather, happiest place on earth. what a great combination!

very happy to report that a good time was had by all! and we didn't leave anyone behind, so, i'd call that a huge success!

xo

a birthday for little Pip

our sweet little Pip is turning one tomorrow.  one!  you'd think after all the zillions of babies i've had (okay, six, but it feels like zillions!), i'd be used to this first year going by so dang fast.  no.  not used to it.  that could actually explain why i have a zillion children, but, we'll save that for a different day.  back to Pip.  this little Piper Charlie Kay is about the sweetest, happiest thing you'll ever meet.  ever.  again, i have a zillion children, i promise, she's happiest.  could it be that she knows she's the caboose and will be babied her entire life?  possibly.  could also be that she's gushed over, loved on and kissed more times a day than some people get in their entire lives.  true story.  how could you not love and hug on this sweetie pie?  *sigh*  she makes me swoon.  

happy birthday to my sweet Piper-licious!  

*drool*

little muffin at one month old

Piperlicious