The Lazy Days Of Summer

I took this picture yesterday evening as I was weeding my flower garden.  All I have to say is I LOVE SUMMER.

  HAPPY WEEKEND!

I thought I'd share this music video with y'all.  I absolutely LOVE this song.  This is Utah's own, Carmen Rasmusen, who ranked 6th on the 2nd season of American Idol!  Enjoy.

Poor, Poor Little Jenna

It had been a while since I'd made a DI run, but I happened to be there to find some little play props for my sons classroom play one night, when I decided I should go see if there was anything worth buying and taking home in the furniture dept.  I came across this poor little dresser that had been abused and scratched by a little girl named Jenna.  I guess she wanted everyone to know that that dresser was hers.  She even inscribed cute little hearts all over it that, I'm guessing, a brother, didn't like and scratched out.  Needless to say, I saw so much potential in this beautiful little thing, and knew that it would make the perfect TV stand that my sister has been looking for and hoping to find for MONTHS.  And wouldn't ya know....her birthday was that very next day!!!!

I was in such a hurry to get 'er done, that I almost forgot to take a before picture.  I already had LOTS of wood filler on the big, major scratches and had started to take the old hardware off, when I remembered to take the picture.  Why didn't I think to take a picture of Jenna's name and all the hearts?  Oh well.  At least you get the idea.  She was in pretty bad shape.

BUT, I sanded 'er down, gave 'er sponge bath and painted 'er all nice and pretty.  Isn't she absolutely ADORABLE??!?!!!  Sorry Jenna (and Jenna's mom)  you just didn't know what you were giving away, and now she's mine!  Well, Lisa's.  And you can't have 'er back.

I just love the new accessories I picked out for her.  They make such a HUGE difference, don't they?  LOVE Hobby Lobby for new hardware.

Then, with the help of my little sister, I delivered it to my sister's house while she was at work.  I wish I could have stayed to see the look on her face when she walked through the door, but, alas, I'm a busy woman and had prior commitments to fulfill. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Lisa!!!  You're the BEST big sister EVER!  I love you dearly and cherish all the time we get to spend together!  And to Heather, my little sister, who helped me carry that sucker up the stairs, a BIG, HUGE THANK YOU!!  You are the BEST little sister, EVER!!!  I ditto everything I said to Lisa to you, too!!!!  I am so blessed to have such great friends in my sisters.  I love them both so much and don't know what I'd do without them.  You know we must be pretty close to show up to an event all wearing the very same shirt, just different colors!  ;)  That happens waaay more often than you think it would.  It's kinda freaky!!!  And just for the record for all of you who are wondering why I'm so blond and they're not.....well, I don't know, but they were as blond as me once upon a time!!!!  I guess as they got older, they got darker, like our mom, and I stayed blond, like our dad. 

L to R:  Lisa, Me, Heather

MaJaw'sOnTheGround

I was so anxious to see who Tracy chose to be the winner of this month's nature photo contest this evening and was completely floored when I saw MY own pictures pop up on her page!!!  I can't argue that I live in a very beautiful part of America!  She hit that nail right on the head.  I'm so flippin' excited!  I did get an honorable mention from a previous linky party, but I got THE BLUE RIBBON this time!!  THANKS from the heart of my bottom, Tracy!  Uh....er.....I mean the bottom of my heart.  I feel like I did when I won the second grade spelling bee!!!!  =)

Purple Mountains Majesty

I want to share a couple of pictures with y'all.  One from last night as Meister sat outside with the boys, moon-gazing with the telescope:

and one of the rising sun, filtering through my front window, as I was sitting in the office reading the news this morning:

It's a well known fact that I am often overwhelmed by the beauty that surrounds me.  Mostly while I'm outdoors, but obviously, like this morning, as I look out my window.  I've always said that I feel closest to my maker when I'm outside.  Whether I'm gardening in my yard:

Or taking a leisurely Sunday walk with my kids through the gully in our neighborhood:

I LOVE the nature that surrounds me!

Our very favorite place, in all of Utah, is Albion Basin, just a short 20 minute drive up Little Cottonwood Canyon.  We go camping there a lot.  Allow me to show you why:

Plain and simple, the wildflowers (which are at their peak of beauty mid to late July) and mountains are BREATHTAKING!!  It's hard not to be at one with nature and Heavenly Father while you're there.  It's so calm and serene.  You can scarcely take it all in.

This is the view of the Salt Lake Valley from the top of the canyon.  We are completely surrounded by beautiful, majestic mountains that have so much to offer in the way of FUN!!  Including the BEST SNOW ON EARTH in the winter time!

Camping is an all time favorite family outing.  Can you blame us?  Not only do we get to be surrounded by the beauty and sounds of nature, we can enjoy a nap in the hammock in all our filth!

Or......um......on a....ROCK?  Whatever!

Oh to be a kid and have the ability to sleep soundly any ole hard place you want!

Have oodles and gobs of fun with all of your cousins....

(This is a traditional picture we take EVERY year!)

Or even have a close encounter of the third kind!.  =) 

Never seen a bear though...WHEW!!!! Although we have had moose and deer tromp right through our campsite.

I can see those mountains, that I just gave you a tiny tour of, from my backyard!  Aren't they beautiful?           I took this picture a couple weekends ago during my daughter's 12th birthday party.

I'm linking up to Tracy's Nature Photo Party so all of those outside of Utah can share in the beauty and maybe make plans to visit us!!  You won't be sorry if you do.  =)