Cannon's Blessing Day

6/11/17

Cannon James received the sweetest blessing from Michael in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I'm so grateful for God's individual plans for each of us. (Because if I got to pick my own plan I'd for sure be a mess right now, ha.)

After the church service we had so many wonderful family and friends come to our home for a little brunch! We had a yogurt bar with toppings, spinach quiches and donuts from Banburry Cross - yummm. And I was SOOOO SAD because we took tons of pictures of everyone who came and all the food but of course my memory card wasn't in the camera, so we didn't get any of it! But just imagine a fun green and blue summery set up.

We were super lucky to have both our moms in town! Moms are the best. They literally cleaned up the whole thing - including  Cannon's massive blow out right when we got home.

Blueberry donut = amaze. I'm not even that much of a donut person but I'll take 10 of these thank you.

So after I realized my camera had no memory card I had to quickly snag some photos with whoever was still around! That would be our BFFs. These are some of the med school people I am always talking about. I seriously do not know what I'd do without this crew (and many other amazing wives and friends we've met here at the U!). These are the girls I text when Lydia cuts her head and Michael won't answer his phone or when I need something from Walmart or when I don't know which picture to post. Another nod to God's awesome plans for us!! If we weren't here at the U we wouldn't have these incredible friendships. 

Students.

Cheerleaders.

I know I've said this before but Cannon is seriously THE happiest baby all of a sudden! He only cries if he's hungry (or if he's been in his Bumbo too long - his head's ginormous and he gets tired quickly lol). He is constantly smiling and laughing! And rolling everywhere! Like the other day I lost him under the couch. WHAT. He is pretty much a 6 month old. I love him so so much!

Dress: Anthropologie 

Shoes: Nordstrom Rack, old

Cannon's Outfit (which is now stained a lovely mustardy color): Jolley's Boutique in Salt Lake City

The Beach! And lots of thoughts about marriage.

After a few weeks in AZ last month (and after Michael's huge test - YAAAAY), Michael flew down and we road tripped together to CA! EASILY my second favorite part of the entire month. First fave being Disneyland, obvi. But I love me a good road trip. Mainly because I have a captive audience to listen to all my rambling stories ;). Ha, sorry babe. But really we were so stoked to get to Newport and be with his family! Lydia is OBSESSED with the water. Like we had to bribe her with food to get out of the ocean. How amazing would it be to do residency here?? Sometimes I think California is the dream, other times I miss the AZ heat, and then a lot of the time I think Utah is actually pretty awesome! So who knows where we'll actually end up long term. 

Anyway - BEACH!

Gosh I love these people! It's funny, every book I've read tells you that happiness in marriage decreases with each child. Which kind of freaked me out, because don't get me wrong, the beginnings of marriage were fun, but they weren't exactly blissful. Marriage is HARD! There was a lot of adjusting and getting to know each other.

So it's safe to say I was a little concerned about this looming decrease in happiness when I was pregnant with Lydia. 

Luckily this girl came into our lives and with it came an incredible measure of love, patience and joy. I think we both finally realized that this whole earth life is something bigger than just Michael and Annika. We aren't just here for ourselves, we're here to teach and rear children, to grow together as family units, to make lasting traditions and memories and create eternal bonds! Suddenly we felt this urgency to give our best to Lydia and to each other.

Not that it doesn't still take work! Michael and I have to re-evaluate ourselves personally and as a couple (and as a family!) all the time. What are our goals? What can we improve on? What's something I'm currently doing that's bugging the heck out of you? Hahaha.

And then this little guy came into the picture and just added a whole new level of joy. 

(Well let's be real - not those first few weeks. But now yes!)

So I want to call all those authors and tell them their books are wrong! YES kids bring with them financial stress, daily exhaustion, and a whoooooole lot of messes. But holy cow have we become so much more selfless because of it! 

I heard once that God is efficient; he's not going to make us jump through ten thousand hoops to learn a lesson if there's a way we can learn it in a hundred. (Though obviously sometimes the quickest way IS to jump through ten thousand hoops - we can be slow learners ;).) Well I totally believe that God's plan to put us in families is super efficient! HA. You quickly realize what matters and what doesn't. Aaaand as an aside you quickly learn to NEVER JUDGE ANOTHER PARENT because holy cow all kids are so different and we're doing the best we can.

Also this quote from Marjorie Pay Hinckley about marriage has been my motto the last few months: 

"Early on I realized but would be better if we worked harder at getting accustomed to one another than constantly trying to change each other - which I discovered was impossible... There must be a little give and take, and a great deal of flexibility, to make a happy home."

Isn't that the best? 

Well apparently I just thought like dumping all of that on you today, ha! Go squeeze someone you love!

My Swimsuit: Target

Lydia and Cannon's Suits: Kortni Jeane

Froyo Berry Bites

I posted these on my insta story yesterday and about 30 people asked me for the recipe! So instead of typing it out 30 times I thought I'd just post it here.

I had TONS of leftover yogurt, granola and berries from Cannon's blessing brunch, and instead of making a yummy berry dessert I wanted something a little healthier! I found this recipe on pinterest and I have to admit, they look a little better than they taste ;). HA. To the recipe's credit, I didn't make the almond crust like it calls for! But they're just a little icy... think frozen gogurt texture. 

Still a fun healthy treat though for hot summer days!

Froyo Berry Bites

Original recipe  here! I rarely measure anything so maybe just go off her recipe ;).

Ingredients: 

- granola

- coconut oil

- vanilla greek yogurt 

- honey

- chopped berries

Directions: 

- line muffin tin with parchment or silicone muffin liners

- mix granola with coconut oil, enough so it's slightly wet

- fill cups with a tiny bit of granola mixture (see pic)

- mix honey into yogurt to desired sweetness

- pour yogurt mixture on top of granola

- sprinkle berries on top

- cover TIGHTLY with lots and lots of plastic wrap

- freeze for 4ish hours

- SET ON COUNTER FOR 10 MINUTES TO THAW

- if you don't do this, it will be gross and icy and flavorless.

- Enjoy! 

I've been keeping them in the freezer and then pop one out a few minutes before I want a snack.

AZ Retreat!

When Michael was studying for his board exam last month I took the kiddos down to Arizona! We weren't seeing much of Michael anyways so we figured PEACE OUT! Sorry babe.

Aaaaaand I have to admit, it was a little rough. Not the actual traveling part, Lydia and Cannon were amazing on the flight. But the out-of-routine part kind of killed us all. Neither of them slept great (read: they slept horribly) which then put me in exhausted survival mode for a month, woot woot! 

But there definitely were some awesome moments! Lydia LOVES her Papa and Nana, so waking up and seeing them everyday was heaven for her. 

And Legoland was a blast!

Also Lydia's first "bike" ride was a success, even if my awkward hunching-over-the-tiny-bike pose wasn't ;).

Cannon's already like double this size. He really chunked up in AZ! Must've been all the mexican food.

So in thinking back I thought I figured out why this trip was such a challenge (see Lydia's face), besides the obvious fact that there were now two kids:

Toys! 

I know, I wanted a way cooler answer, too. At home I can take a shower while Lydia cuts wooden fruit, and do my makeup while she puts all her stuffed animals to sleep, and then pay bills as she stacks her blocks. 

But my parents have a whole closet full of our old toys, so lack of toys isn't the issue. Playing with the toys was the problem. In the new environment she didn't feel comfortable enough to play with new things by herself. So I guess lack of independent play in a new place was the issue?

Which resulted in a month of zero alone time. PARTAY!

Okay random rant over.

How gorgeous is my mom's ring. I picked it out for her a few years back on a cruise and I still love it so so much.

The third sister to graduate high school! Congrats Isabel you cute thang!

Toros forever.

Probably the happiest moment of Lydia's AZ time was the "beach"! Homegirl is so obsessed with the water.

Workin on that postpartum beach bod... it'll come back eventually right? ;). It is TOUGH WORK after kid #2. And with my first I didn't lose all the weight till I stopped nursing, but with Cannon nursing is going better so I don't want to give it up yet! But a teeny tiny selfish part of me kind of does because: love handles. SHHH I know, bad mom.

Ooooh definitely a highlight of the trip! ;) Any guesses which won?

My cute mama and very best friend!

And closing out with the world's best sport! I hadn't picked up a racket in months (years??) but it felt so good to hit for a little! Anyone in Utah want to play?! I'm DYING to get back into it!

Up next: Cali Adventures! Michael finished his boards, flew to AZ, and then we road tripped all together to CA. So I'll post those pics as soon as I can string together more than 4 hours of sleep! ;) (COME ON CANNON JUST SLEEP ALREADY.)

White Top: J.Crew

Denim: Target

Pink Loafers: AMAZON!! Score.

Grey T-Shirt Dress: GAP

Printed Skirt: Anthro (8 years old!)

Black Top: Nordstrom

Dalmation Swimsuit: Old Navy

Lydia's Swimsuit: Ralph Lauren

Striped Tee: Madewell

Workout Top & Shorts: Lulu

Imaginary Closet - Anthro Faves!

Anthro is totally killing it right now! 

Half the time I walk in there and just leave depressed or confused: odd cuts, weird prints. But this last month I went in three different Anthropologies (oops!) and loved so so much.

[SIDENOTE: I'm currently blasting Simple Plan (Long Live 2006!) as I type this and it's making me super happy. I'm also currently ignoring my husband and sister who are making fun of me.]

So here goes my Imaginary Closet if I had endless Anthro funds! Also for a description of Imaginary Closet look  here and for my most recent (not that recent) Imaginary Closet click  here. 

Hello gorgeous. I've been on the lookout for white non-see-through shirts (pretty much impossible) and this one ( here) is amaze.

These pants ( here) would fulfill my pjs-all-day dreams. Don't know I can pull off a drop crotch though...

Fun basic! ( here)

I reeeeeally wanted to make this railroad jumpsuit work. Nursing friendly! Cuffed sleeves! Stripes! But what are moms for if not for being brutally honest about what does and doesn't look good on you ;). Thanks mom? Ha. ( here)

THIS jumpsuit on the other hand I LOVE with so much of my heart. But couldn't get the hubby on board. I almost bought it anyways right before I remembered we're broke. But sheesh tough crowd between my mom and my boo thang. Currently scrounging my house for loose gift cards and hidden cash ;).

Wish this dress ( here) had another inch or two! Love the mixed fabric. 

Then on the no-makeup double-stroller day I tried on this little $478 number! Seemed fitting. Spit up wouldn't show right? ( here)

Another dress I tried to mentally force to grow an inch! All. The. Heart. Eyes. Sleeves, stripes, scoop neck - oh my!

Sweet high-low ruffled skirt ( here).

And closing out with a bang! Can I or can I not pull off a metallic stretchy skirt highly reminiscent of freshman costume parties?

But actually I kinda like it.