Life is just Ducky: A Vacation by the Numbers

Total meals eaten at McDonald's:  6

Hours spent driving:  36

Chocolate chip Blizzards from DQ: 3 

Devastating car accidents seen:  6

Car fires seen:  1

Nights spent in a slasher-movie-worthy motel in a little town in Georgia: 1 

{Photo by Caroline Welty}

Bikinis worn:  4

Bottles of sunscreen gone through:  5

New pairs of flipflops worn:  2

Crabs caught during the midnight crabbing adventure: 100+

Times we played midnight Ultimate Crab Fighting: at least 20

Times I screamed and moved:  at least 19

Nighttime ocean swims: 2

Times I lost my bikini top: 3

NBA Playoff games watched: 4

Bon Jovi songs sung at karaoke: 1

Hours spent in the hot tub:  more than I spent out of the hot tub

People at church on Sunday morning:  600

Hymns sung that sounded as though sung by choirs of angels: 3

Dance parties shut down by the police:  2

Cute boys met:  it seemed like the Army of Helaman and the Stripling Warriors were at the beach  

Seeing old friends, making new friends, sunning on the beach and having a blast??  PRICELESS!

{Photo by Me.  See my lil' footprint?}

Oh Nuggles! Please do not perish!

I LOVE YOU!!!

P.S. Tulip not only survived, but seems to have thrived during her stay at McVet’s. No surgery will keep her down! She was treated to much TLC from her grandpa E, who checked on her every single day. Such devotion! Tulip has not only recovered miraculously swiftly from her operation, but she has also grown a foot, resumed her charming habit of eeaaaarly morning wake-ups, and adopted perfect personal deportment.

P.P.S. That last part, about personal deportment, is a complete lie. The others are true, so I thought perhaps deportment might rub off in the mix. Last night she barked at my face for twenty minutes while I ate dinner. It was awesome. On my list of things to do today: call the dog trainer……

Laissez les bon temps rouler!

Today, everyone arrives. Hurry and up get here, we cannot wait to see you!!!

Tonight we shall eat {Coretta's!}, drink {Shirley Temples!} and be merry {we are all together!} for tomorrow she graduates.

A homefront update

They ripped up the sidewalk, which means they fixed the gate, which means they're fixing the tree, which means they're painting the house, which means they'll build the screened-in porch, which means SUMMER!!!!!

{Which also means that our apartment is a construction zone - unfortunate timing! Please watch your step!!}

Makes me happy

Watching Tulip swim in the Mississippi
The coconutty banana-y smell of my suntan lotion
Suntan lines
Flat out refusing to work out this weekend
Laughing and talking with friends on the front porch 'till the sun goes down

Happy Mother's Day!

I often go walking
In meadows of clover,

And I gather armfuls
Of blossoms of blue.

I gather the blossoms
The whole meadow over.

Dear Mother, all flowers
Remind me of you!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Up in the northern parts, someone is having a birthday today.  He's faster than KipK, cooler than Jack Nicholson, plays like Tiger, and is the best Daddio in the whole wide world.  He taught me how to play basketball, soccer and softball and how to drive a car.  He taught me how to enjoy action movies and sports.  He braided my hair when I was little and cried when he bore his testimony to me.  He will put his arms around me and tell me he loves me and makes me feel like the most loved daughter in the world.  My Dad, in every way in the world, is brilliant.  He loves, he dreams, he sings and plays the piano and guitar, and along with my Mom, created our magical family.  

Daddy, I love you so much.  Happy Birthday!!!

{This picture is from 2006.  We need more pictures of us!}

I am happy

In the beginning, I missed New York so badly. It was a sharp longing, the kind you feel for loved ones. I was homesick beyond words. And bit by bit, day by day, breathing in this warm, thick air has resuscitated me. Of course I still miss New York, but that sharp pain has faded into a happier, dimly glowing stash of memories I will cherish forever. My heart is here now. This place is a magical place, and I am under its spell. I am intoxicated by the scent of warm honeysuckle, the sight of Spanish moss dangling from the trees, the tinkle of piano keys, the sheer pleasure of watching Tulip romp and tumble through the clover. I am so glad I am here.

Today

Happy May!

O, the month of May, the merry month of May!
So frolic, so gay, and so green, so green, so green;
And then did I unto my true love say,
Sweet {Tulip}, thou shalt be my Summer's Queen!

~Thomas Dekker

I haven't found the cure for swine flu or unlocked the secret to world peace, but I am pretty pleased with my newest discovery

Read all about it here.

Happy Earth Day!

Remember back to elementary school, when on Earth Day the whole day was like a field trip? And your class would clean up the playground and plant new trees and flowers around the school? And the garbage men would come and teach you how to recycle? And farmers would come and show you how to garden and how to tell good soil from bad? And then we would get fun tshirts? And moms would come in and help? (Thanks again, Mom, for always being a class mom!) I thought it was so much fun. My elementary school was the best!

IAC you say?

For the last few years, I had a favorite building in New York. (I mean, apart from the Chrysler Building, which will always be my classic favorite favorite. My first love.) This building was different, it was new, it shimmered in the day and glistened in the night. It was on the West Side, near the highway. It looked like it was made of sugar-spun milk glass. I had no idea what it was.

Today I have learned what it is. It is the IAC building, the first office building in New York built by the one and only Frank Gehry. (It's a bit embarrassing to me that I didn't know this before, but oh well. Now I know!)

Go here to see and learn about this beautiful building. And if you're in New York, take a stroll on over to the West Side, you'll love it.

Dear Jessica,

I know you will be thrilled by this - the Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince trailer just hit the web today (it’s amazing!!) and the release date is JULY 15!!!!!!!!!!!!

(Not November).

Aren’t you just thrilled????!!!!!

Will you please be my date?

I love ya.

Love,

Your Sister and Harry Potter fan extraordinaire

Again {sigh}

The dreaded lurgy is back.

{Blar.}

Jessica is having a weekend away at the beach in Florida.

{Yay! Have so much fun!}

Meaning Tulip is left to be my nursemaid.

{Tulip's recipe for health: we'll go to the dog park - the sun will bake the lurgy out of you. Eat as many filet mignon doggy treats as you want - you need the protein. Then play with me until exhaustion - then you'll sleep really well. xoxo, Tulip}

Here's to a weekend filled with sniffles, coughing, being buried alive under a mountain of kleenex, Tylenol Sinus, Tylenol Cold, Advil, stuffy noses, pajamas and the cutest puppy that ever was.

How could you possibly top that? Have a wonderful weekend!!!

Happy Birthday Mom!!!

Have a wonderful day!

We're the lucky ones

On the eve of your birth, (which happened before Jessica and I became yours)
The world didn’t know what it was getting.
It was getting a beautiful baby girl
Full of spirit and creativity and LOVE.

This little girl with big brown eyes
Grew up to be a smart and funny and talented young woman
Who got married in the temple
For time and all eternity.

She had first one daughter,
Then another,
And together her family
Traveled the country and the world.

She taught her girls how to read and how to write.
She taught them their colors and how to paint pictures.
She taught them how to love life and love one another.
She taught them to travel far and wide in pursuit of their dreams.

And here we are, your girls, living far away
And pursuing those dreams,
But all the time knowing that you are only
A phone call
A car trip
A plane ride
A heartbeat away.

I love you, Mom!!!

Happy Birthday eve!

Top Chef!

I absolutely love love LOVE Top Chef. Readers of my mother's cute blog may remember that she took me to Top Chef tour show at home last summer. (Thanks again, it was so much fun!!!)

Well, this morning, my mom, who always has the inside on what's happening, texted that the Top Chef tour would be in New Orleans - at the farmer's market! So awesome! I am unfortunately here at work, but Jessica ran over after her class and is right now watching the demo with Radhika and Richard. I am so happy for her! (She gave up her spot to let me go this summer. She is the best, ever.) Jess, I can't wait to hear all about it!!

Easter

What a wonderful Easter weekend. Yesterday at church, we had a special Easter Sacrament meeting. Our branch president was the only speaker and he spoke with such power, eloquence and love for our Savior and His sacrifice. At the end of his glorious talk, he read the First Presidency's message on Easter:

At this Easter season of hope and renewal we testify of the glorious reality of the atonement and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. The empty tomb brought comforting assurance and provided the answer to the question of Job, “If a man die, shall he live again?” (Job 14:14).

Because of the Savior’s resurrection we will overcome death and become the beneficiaries of His mercy and grace. In a world of trouble and uncertainty, His peace fills our hearts and eases our minds. Jesus is in very deed “the way, the truth, and the life” (John 14:6).

We give our sure witness that Jesus is the Christ. Though He was crucified, He rose triumphant from the tomb to our everlasting blessing and benefit. To each member of the human family He stands as our Advocate, our Savior, and our Friend.

Yesterday was a wonderful reminder of how much I have to be grateful for and of all the blessings in my life. I have truly been filled with love and appreciation for Christ this Easter season.

Happy Easter!!!!

I am all set to leave for a marvelous three day weekend. I hope everyone has a wonderful holiday full of sunshine, bunnies, chocolate and happiness. xoxoxoxo!