backyard play

one of the first things we did after getting back from vacation was go outside. I needed to clean up the garden a little but (yeah my garden actually grew something) and the boys wanted to jump on the trampoline.

 Dallas even had some fun playing with a "new to him" toy (staking cups) and while out there we found the biggest ant ever. Like Honey I shrunk the kids size ant.

okay maybe not that big but still big!

6 month old Dallas!

Can hardly believe this little man has been here for 6 months! I find myself smiling constantly because of him! he is truly the best baby EVER!!!!!!

this past month he started reaching for his toes and started sitting up!  So much more Fun is coming. Before we know it he'll be running around with his big brothers! 

 Happy 6 months bubba!

a busy day!

we have just one day left on vacation here in Utah and we made it a busy one. hitting the Fans outlet in SLC,   and getting some awesome stuff. Visiting friends up in Ogden,
  a quick stop by Temple Square in SLC,

and dinner with another friend and meeting his baby.  Like a said busy!

Aunt Tammy's Playground

My sister Tammy and her husband were our gracious hosts during our little visit to Utah. they had a little playground out back that my boys were constantly wanting to go to. So we went. Dallas and I played at the swings while Brock and Nicholas ran around, jumped and played. sadly due to no other kids there they got bored fast. But it's always fun to try new playgrounds.

TUCANOS!

We met a friend (Ryszard's old bishop) fro lunch at Tucanos.  For those of you not familiar with Tucanos   meats are tastefully seasoned and cooked on skewers over open-flame grills. The skewers are then brought to your table where sizzling portions are sliced onto your plate. You may choose as many different flavors and cuts as you like. With one of these little things:

a Tucanos Cue which is used to direct your server. When placed on your table, the green side indicates to our entrée servers that you wish more selections brought to your plate. If you wish to pause, or are finished with your entrée service, turn the Tucanos Cue over to the red side.
it is so good! 

we had a great time chatting with our friend. 
 Until next time!

the big 30

So lucky to be able to actually spend a birthday with my family all around. It just happened to be my Brother Matt's 30th birthday. It was Awesome!  We were just missing my sister Julie and her family. but I did get a pic of all cousins that were present.

 My gorgeous niece Julia! (apparently I have no idea where to look!)

 Making faces with the birthday boy!

 Aunt Caitlyn holding "baby Dallas"

 my niece Ashlin holding Dallas.

the boys with their Utah cousins!

West Jordan Park.

Planning a trip to SLC, Utah anytime soon?  have kids that need to run around, get some wiggles out? send them to the West Jordan Park:

 While Brock and Nicholas enjoyed running, jumping and playing around on this playground.  Dallas and I took to a little but of shade and played there.

Springville Quilt Show

I had the chance to go to the Springville quilt show with my Mom and sister Tammy (i took Dallas with us and left the other 2 boys with Ryszard) it was great. we saw so many beautiful quilts. Some of them full of awesome details like this one:

a grove of trees with each leaf individually cut out. I especially liked the quilting along the edge that resembled bark. this quilter was taught by his mother, and had 2 other artistic quilts.

then there was a love for Utah quilt:

and my favorites that i wouldn't mind someone making for me:

loved everything about this quilt the colors, pattern, border. yeah. someone make this for me please!
and then another one I liked:

After the quilt show we went to lunch at cracker barrel (first time for me) It was a great day. Tried  some fried okra, while Dallas had a lunch of sweet potatoes!
love spending time with my family

Date night with Amy

 As some of you may not know I spent a good amount of time as a Nanny before getting Married. I meet some many great poepkle during those years. but I have to admit my favorite person is this girl:

Amy Ambler. She is quite possibly my bestest friend Ever. We don't get to spend a lot of time together seeing as we are 3,000 miles apart. but Amy is Wonderful. She is my go to photographer.a great friend. and the one person I always make sure I visit (other than family)  when we are in Utah. I always say she is the best thing that came out of my Boston Nanny days!   anyway Ryszard and I set some time aside to do a double date night with amy and her husband Ben.  I refer to it as my Date with Amy though.  Amy I love ya like a sister! You ROCK!  Thanks for playing with us!  until next time!

 

"baby Dallas" /first swim

 So fun bringing Dallas to see/ meet family.  He's the newest addition for my family the next oldest are our twins nieces Hailey and Krya who will be turning  four soon. they have been so excited to meet Dallas. Or as the call him "baby Dallas"  always baby Dallas never just Dallas. Some of the sweetest words ever hearing all 4 of our Balandran cousins say "I want to hold baby Dallas" every time we were together.  One day while we were visiting we decided to head down to the pool. 

 Thanks April for letting us come over and play!

quick pics!

walking into a store one day and saw this wall. perfect back drop for pictures!

A caramel apple and splashing fun!

Every time we visit Utah there are a handful of places we HAVE to go/do.  One of those things is visiting the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. I always get the Tiger butter caramel apple.

Trust me it's delicious. I have a goal to one day, try to replicate my own recipe.  My crazy boys decided to get ice cream and not a caramel apple (I know they are nuts!)  and while Ryszard and I finished our treats the boys had fun playing in the splash pad. 

they both got super wet and cold. Thankfully I did bring a change of clothes!