A Mom Moment

Dear Reader,

So today is Mother's Day.

I basically spent a good chunk of yesterday buying all the presents my mom was getting today from all my family members, driving my brother to and from a church activity, grocery shopping for today's dinner and the cake I made, baking the cake (and partially burning it....), wrapping the presents I spent the day buying (which distracted me and is the reason the cake got burned--but don't worry it actually still tasted good), and then waking up early today to help make breakfast for my mom, go to church and come home quickly to make dinner for my mom, then decorate the cake (it was elaborate), and then having to clean up from all the dishes of each meal.

(The cake.)

After all the festivities, I was talking with my parents and I was saying how I had done all that work and had been basically running around all of yesterday and today and I was exhausted and my siblings didn't really seem to fully appreciate all the work I had done.

And then, I had an epiphany: All of the things I did over the past two days is what my mom does everyday and she rarely gets thanked for it.

Zing! Yup, karma gets me again.

So, thank you, Mom, for everything you do. Especially the little things that I don't remember to thank you for. You are wonderful.

When the Parents Come to Town

Dear Reader,

This last week my parents and little brother and sister came into town for a visit. Mary's birthday was on Sunday (the 25th), so Wednesday (when they got in town) we went over to David and Cassie's for cake. (And so my parents could see Naomi. Let's be honest, we all know that's the real reason they wanted to go over.) The cake was a cat, per Mary's request. I forgot candles.

Of course.

But at least it tasted good.

And here's Naomi! She's so cute! She was also super mellow that night. She basically let anyone hold her, and she slept the whole time. This worked out really well for me because I finally got to hold her without her bursting into tears. I have bad luck, I guess.

If I didn't know any better I'd say the parents are wanting some grandkids. . . .

(This is the proof she let me hold her.)

And now we segue to my cousin Cami's wedding. She got married on Saturday (July 31) in the Salt Lake Temple. The fun part was, like 86 other couples were also getting married that day.

It was like herding cattle.

But the busy-ness aside, it was a really beautiful wedding, and really well done. She had her temple ceremony (most of the following pictures are from the wait outside) and then pictures very briefly (mainly because we were running late and only had the JSMB reserved for 2 hours), followed by a luncheon in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. She seemed pretty happy, so I'm guessing it was a success with her. Which, honestly, is all that matters.

My little cousin Cate. Yes, she is that cute. (And yes, in the background is Mary. That's what she was doing like all weekend.)

I love love love the converse!

My cousin Savannah's baby, Lily. We like to abuse children while they're young and can't fight back. It's easier that way.

My cousin Sabina (Lily's aunt) and Mary.

Brother and sister (X and Cate). Love it.

The happy bride!

Okay, I kid you not, this piece of chocolate mousse cheesecake may have been the best thing I have ever eaten. And I'm not really crazy about mousse or cheesecake.

Was a Christmas miracle? I would say so.

The centerpiece.

Savannah, Lily, and me. Clearly the child was annoyed she had to be in ANOTHER picture. I don't blame her. Sorry for adding to your pain, Lily. . . .

Michigan!!!

Dear Reader,

So last week I went home. This means family, trees, and a very crazy puppy.

Also, I decorated more cakes!

Here's Proof:

My little sister and Molly

Aren't the GREEN trees so TALL???

There was an awesome midwest thunderstorm while I took this picture.

Coincidentally it delayed my flight back to Utah 3 hours, but I think it was worth it. I've been jonesing for a big thunderstorm for a long time.

She's looks a little more normal now.

You wouldn't believe how many pictures I had to take to get one of her face straight-on.

Here's the first cake I made. It's a wizard hat!

And here's the second cake. It's a spaceship! Inspired by the remains of the cake I cut up to make the wizard hat.

Turning 22

Dear Reader,

Last week was super busy, but it was also super awesome. It started on Sunday when my roommates and I made a cake for my cousin and his wife. They just bought a house, it was their anniversary on the 26th and they're having a baby next month. So in our opinion, a cake was overdo. And it looked sweet, if I do say so myself (no pun intended):

Then on Wednesday I helped my sister move into her apartment, attended my first ever book club (next month we're reading The Screwtape Letters) and I went to see Alice in Wonderland at the dollar theatre with my London friends. (All after working 12 hours at my internship.)

The next day (the 27th) was my birthday. As much as I love my internship, I wasn't super excited about spending another 12 hours there, especially on my birthday. But I did it. And when I came home I promptly had cake with friends, ice cream with a few more friends, and then went to see the midnight showing of Prince of Persia, with all of the above mentioned people.

But the fun didn't stop there. I got home at roughly 2:30 AM, packed, and took a shuttle at 3:30 up to the airport to fly home to Michigan for Memorial Day weekend. Although I slept on the commute to and from Salt Lake, and then on the plane home, I didn't really sleep (well) until Friday night (36 hours later)...and going that long without sleep is never good for me. My body essentially turned off last night and I passed out after dinner while my family was watching a movie. Party on.

So all in all, it was an amazing 22 birthday, and I am so glad to be home right now!!!