Labor Day 2012

After a wonderful week of eating/shopping/talking/repeat with Miss Nanette, the Rawsons enjoyed a Labor Day dinner with the Willhites on a gorgeous Park City evening.  It makes absolutely no sense to me that we don't live next door to these people.  What's the point of living if you're not experiencing it with the people you love?  If we don't move next door to each other before then, I fully intend to be roomies with Lydia in the old folks home if we outlive our husbands.  

A little yoga in the kitchen...happens all the time...

Two friends COULD NOT possibly be closer than these two.  (Think Lydia and me plus twenty years.)

Somehow, I managed to evoke a few smiles from a couple of teenagers that day.  Wyatt has no problem in that department. 

The. Best. Time.

We celebrated Wyatt's 9th birthday with Hostess cupcakes because we're fancy like that (and his lactose intolerance limits dessert options.)  How do I have a 9-year old nephew who is the youngest in his family?  

9-year olds have a lot on their minds...  I noticed that Wyatt saw that I was taking his picture, so I just KNOW he was thinking "stay cool and do a really introspective, mature pose."  He is his father.  LOVE this kid.

We got Wyatt a game called Cuponk! which turned out to be the hit of the party.  It's like the kid version of Beirut, for my Princeton buddies...Just doing my part to prepare my nephews for college!

My little Aiden had some very serious conversations with his Papa.  And by the looks of it, Papa is becoming less and less afraid of infants.  Way to go, Dad!

Mention "gumball machines" to Liam and prepare yourself for a long, vehement speech on the subject.  It's right up there with trains.  

My babies and I had a great time with you, Miss Nanette!  Too short a stay, though, as always.  Come back soon!  

Project Green

I never thought this could contribute so much to my family's happiness, but it's amazing what a little green can do.  Wes and I bit the bullet this summer and embarked on a huge yard project.  While the landscaping will probably have to be put off until next year, we added grass to the front and back yards and what a difference it has made!  I'm serious, you guys, this makes me SO happy...

Before...

After!

Before...

After!

Before...

After!

I know, right?  It's like a different house.  I don't want to sound ungrateful for what we already had...I literally look out of my windows each and every day and am awestruck by our many blessings.  But there is something about GREEN that says "life" to me, you know?   I bet the before pictures are what the pioneers must've seen before they turned the Salt Lake valley into an irrigated paradise...

"Mr. Tim" worked so hard on this project.  He became Liam's hero and every day Liam would want to mimic what he saw going on in the yard.  Mr. Tim has a skid steer?  Look!  I have something kind of like it!  

Liam helped Dadda and Mr. Tim dig trenches to lay the sprinklers.  And before you get your panties in a bunch for letting him near the window wells, know that we were always right there...never out of our sight.  Plus, he's a pretty fart smeller and takes it seriously when we say "don't go near that because you could break your head."  

And now for the HUGE thank-you's:  Troy, Marylynne, Calen and Cameron Buford, Papa John and his ward friend, Mike Wilton, David Blake...YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME.  Thank you so much for spending a Friday evening laying our sod!!  And to Weston, thanks for sacrificing part of your birthday for yard work :-)

We couldn't be happier with the result.  Aside from one little hiccup/ run-in with a truck going in reverse, it's perfect.  We love you, Derek, and thanks again for coming back with top soil on Labor Day!  All is well.