BFF's

I know I am not as cool as dad, but I play a mean game of memory. . .



When I go in to get Brooks in the morning, he is so disappointed that I'm not dad. All throughout the day, Brooks asks if dad will be home soon. When dad finally is home, Brooks often tells me to stay in the other room, "just me and dad are playing blocks."

Though I am shunned, daily, I am actually so happy to see this little union. They have become such great friends. This is the perfect stage for them to play together and I completely understand why Brooks wants to do everything like his new found favorite. . . his dad is the best! You think you love someone as much as you could, and then you watch him try to shoot rockets through the window with your two-year-old and realize you were wrong. How lucky can one girl get? I love you guys.

A Shout Out to My Sis.

I have been thinking about Paige a lot this week. It was her birthday. She has officially entered her "late twenties," which sounds terrific after I turned 30 this year.

Anyway, all of my thoughts have come to this conclusion. I am so blessed to have the best sister in the entire world. She is kind, she is thoughtful, she loves Brooks and is an incredible aunt. Paige is very nurturing, she will make the best mother one day. Paige has very strong opinions, she knows what she wants. Paige is Paige, no ifs ands or buts about it.

Paige is the perfect person to ask an opinion of, she will always give you a straight answer, even if you don't want to hear that "yes, your butt looks big." Paige loves all kinds of music and is an expert on the category with an uncanny ability to name any song/artist with just the humming of a few notes. She also has a beautiful voice. She's a great/fast reader, a skill I am jealous of. Paige knows who she is and I think she might know me better than I know myself sometimes. She is always eager to serve. She is a loyal friend and a loves being a wife. She also enjoys the finer things in life, pedi's, great shopping, good food. She is my best friend, I can tell her anything and she is the perfect road trip companion. I love you Paige, Happy Birthday.

The Womanizer

On our way in the house other night and Bryan found this katydid. We have seen a lot of them at our house lately and Brooks loves them. This one was special though, he held it up right in front of his nose and said, "Mom, she has really cute eyes!" Yeah, I think so too.

I need to get this off my chest!

I realize that I am the worlds worst blogger. I realize that we have done at least a million things, none of which I have recorded. I keep walking past the computur, looking at all my cute friends 'updated' blogs and feeling just awful. So I've come to the conclusion that blogging brings guilt.I don't know how to avoid it. I will never keep as up-to-date as I'd like, my posts are so unoriginal and I can't even get a cool backdrop or songs for that matter! I am such a looser.

But this is MY blog, I will update as I see fit, and though it might bore you, sorry . . . my blog. Since this is the only journaling I am doing at the moment, I figure a few dull posts are better than none.

So, please pardon my rant, onto the recap. I am fighting surrendering our summer. Though school has begun and fall is definitely in the air, I can't seem to let go of all of the fun we had. The summer flew by. I think we were busier than ever, but we also had the time of our lives. Here are a few quick pics to recap the last little bit.

We visited Jackson Hole with my family. It couldn't have been more beautiful.


We stayed in a great condo adjacent to a construction site. . . it wasn't even planned, but couldn't have been more perfect!



Aunt Paige was Brooks' escort on the boat ride across Jenny's Lake. We got to the other side early in the morning and hiked to see this. . .


and this . . .

and this. . .

and this! I know my photo doesn't do this justice, but the water was so clear in this mountain stream that you could see all the beautiful colored river rocks underneath the falling water. Unbelievable!

We had a wonderful time. Not pictured was the great Bar J Wrangler concert and chuckwagon dinner. So fun. Brooks played his air guitar nearly the entire time. The boys golfed, girls shopped, and a highlight was running the river. I was a little clumsy and though my greatest fear of falling in the river wasn't realized, I seemed to fall all over the boat like a drunken hippie. I was the laughing stock of the boat, even the guide was in on it. But we all had a great time...at my expense. I absolutely loved the company and can't wait to go back!


Last, I wanted to put up some pictures of my favorite boy enjoying his favorite summer activity. Thank you slip and slide.









Dear Summer, do you have to go?
I know we really need the snow.
What fun we've had in your splendid sun,
So we'll wait a while and again you'll come.

An Inquiry

Dear Mr. Phelps,

I know you have been quite busy this last little while. But, I was wondering if you might be able to spare a moment to look at my son. He has a mild interest in swimming.

I have sent these pictures for your review. Could you please comment on his form and physique and any other pertinent skills, perhaps the rings, his ability to pull faces under water, or anything else you see that might contribute to him being a swimming champion? I am just wondering if we should shoot for the Olympics in 2012? Let me know your thoughts.

Yours, very truly, forever and ever.

Erin M.

P.S. You had me jumping on the couch at midnight giving high-fives. A little too Tom Cuise-ish for my liking, but so fun to watch!

Misunderstood

Just the other morning, Brooks and I were trying to get out the door. We had quite a few errands to run and then swimming lessons. I had wrapped a gift for my niece to drop off at Bryan's office. I set it on the counter and ran downstairs to check something. I told Brooks that I would be right back.

Just a few minutes later, I heard Brooks saying, "oh, mommy, oh,mommy." He soon ran downstairs holding the shirt that was once wrapped and shouted, "oh mommy, I wuv it, I wuv it, I wuv it!"










Unfortunately, this shirt was for McCall. . . Maybe next time, Brooks.

Where Has the Time Gone?

I can't believe we are already into the month of August. So strange how time flies. July was a blur and so now that August is a little more clear, I can try my best to get us up to date.

We had such a wonderful month full of travel plans, fireworks, family and friends. I think it could go down as one of my favorite July's on record. So here are a few of the details I have yet to post about July.

Starting with...


The beautiful Sun Valley. We had such a great time: great hikes, great bike rides, great swimming, great weather, great food and great company. I hated to leave really. Here are some of the highlights.

High on a mountain top. Took a ski lift to get there, a little unnerving with a two-year-old.


Paddle boats.

Fun friends, Rex and Lucy.


One of the sure tops of the trip, ice skating on the fun outdoor rink. Thank goodness we had a professional on hand. Brooks got a mini lesson from sweet Macy.

Who's that handsome guy?



Ending with JULY 24TH!

This was such a fun holiday and I am pretty sure I thought of my pioneer ancestors at some point. I think they would be happy to know of all the fun we had in honor of them.

First off, the kids parade and neighborhood party.
Brooks rode with a sweet pioneer neighbor named Xandy. He had the parade thing down, waves and all. The festivities included face painting, watermelon eating contests, snow cones and an awesome D.J. We all picked up some new moves.





Then the firemen came and it was time to get wet. They turned on the hoses and Brooks was in heaven! Brooks got to hang out in the drivers seat and even spray the fire hose. Such a great morning. I loved it!



I really felt so lucky to live here so that we were able to join in the celebration. Such a fun time for all.