The Wee One is Two

We celebrated Ellie’s Birthday on Sunday. It was a great day! Gary and I bought a little kitchen set for her. We assembled it the night before (took 2 1/2 hours ugh) so it was all set up for her in the morning. I think she knew there was something going on because she woke  up at 5am and would not settle back.  So we brought her out and showed her what was waiting. She took to it right away trying on the chef hat and oven mit and cooking up a storm.

My parents arrived later that morning and we spent the day preping for the Birthday BBQ making cupcakes and party hats and such. We also were able to enjoy a Birthday seranade from the Frandsen’s via Skype. It was awesome to get to visit with them for a while and share Ellie’s Birthday with family on the opposite end of the world. Gotta love Skype!

this last picture shows how Ellie “helped” decorate the cupcakes when mom and I were not paying attention she had stuffed a few jelly beans into the cupcake holes. What a good helper.

Soon bunches of friends trickled in for the Birthday Bash and we had a great time visiting and enjoying the kids. Ellie was a little shy at first but didn’t take too long to warm up. She crawled into her Dad’s arms as we sang Happy Birthday to her but she understood she was supposed to blow out the candles. Then she decided help her self and taste or lick the frosting on each cupcake. She was the Birthday girl after all…

Summer Time and the Livin’ is Easy

We have been thoroughly enjoying the summer these past few weeks. Thus the lack of posts… Much to my disappointment I have neglected to pull out my camera but I do have a few fun pictures to share.

Gary and I enjoyed a weekend sans the Wee One. Thanks to my parents who so graciously volunteered to babysit and watch over the granddogs. We took the opportunity to stay in our old stomping grounds Little Cottonwood Canyon. We stayed at the Iron Blossom in Snowbird and treated ourselves to some good Mountain Music and a lovely dinner at the Shallow Shaft in Alta.  The next morning we met up with our friends Jesse and JJ and other fellow mountain bikers to ride the Crest Trail. The Crest Trail is a Utah classic. We made it 26 miles total from the top of Big Cottonwood Canyon all the way down to Mill Creek Canyon and out of Mill Creek via the Pipeline Trail. I took a little spill as though I was sliding into home plate and banged up my elbow and hip. Other than that it was an excellent day spent in a beautiful place with good people.

The next morning while Gary and I were still recouping from the ride and had cloudy heads we had an incident with Ellie, keys, and truck. I was watching her play in the back seat as I sat in the front seat. I got out to join her in the back and closed the door and right away realized the doors were locked and my bag with the keys was on the floor. Gary’s keys were inside the truck as well. So, Gary had to break the back window and I had to crawl in and unlock the door. It didn’t scare Ellie I think she thought we were playing a game with her. At any rate it was a mess but our daughter was safe.

Ellie and I also took a trip up to Cache Valley to spend some time with my parents and my brother’s family. We took a little hike on the Logan River trail and enjoyed a picnic at First Dam. Then went to Grandma’s to run in the sprinklers and swim.

[flickrvideo]http://www.flickr.com/photos/17005385@N04/3751372480/[/flickrvideo]

In between all this we have been visiting the Farmer’s Markets in Heber and PC. We have also been enjoying the Park Silly Sunday Market too. I love this stuff and wish it could last all year. Gary picked up a little charcoal grill and we have been enjoying his cooking as well.

Finally, yesterday Ellie and I met some friends at East Canyon Reservoir. It was a beautiful hot day and we all got our fair share of the sunshine vitamin. Our neighbor Jen and Zack joined us as well. Zack and Ellie are only a few months apart and they are becoming good buddies at one point as Zack was enjoying lounging in the water with his Mom while Ellie stood at the shore waving and saying “Hay Zack!” and he would answer back “Hi Ellie”. Oh the simple little things that please us Moms.

Our little swimming/beach adventure is just a little warm up for what lies ahead as we are headed to NY on Saturday to visit all the Marcoccia’s, and attend Gary’s 20th High School reunion. We have rented a cottage on Keuka Lake for one week with Gary’s parents and we are absolutely looking forward to this vacation. Hopefully I will be able to put up a post while we are there but until then keep up the easy Summer livin’.

Perks of Timbucktoo

We have a new family in the neighborhood. Gary was lucky enough to get some pictures of them yesterday.

So Sweet

Weekend in Logan

We had a surprise party for my Grandpa Jackson last Saturday. He just turned 89 years young. I think he did get a bit of a surprise. Gary took these pictures as everyone greeted him singing Happy Birthday. I love the last one…

My parents hosted the party at their home. It was an excellent party with a really good turn out. We had a good time catching up with our cousins. Seeing all the great grandchildren together was awesome. My how we have grown. Mom had all the great grand kids paint rocks for Grandpa’s flower garden. Ellie enjoyed herself and was caught “touching up” a few rocks a little while later. (Ahem, our apologies to the other Artist’s)

On Sunday Gary and I biked the Jardine Juniper trail in Logan Canyon. I love this trail although it is quiet a climb. 1850 vertical feet to be exact and about 11 miles round trip.  Gary was impressed I think. He has been doing a lot of biking in Park City on his single speed 29’er.  I think this ride challenged him a little. As for me, well, I did it. I didn’t walk my bike. I couldn’t stay awake on the way home and I was cranky on Monday because I was still tired and a little sore. I did enjoy myself though and hey what is to be expected after a two year hiatus. I really should be on my bike more.

The 3,200 year old tree was impressive and majestic as it always is. Gary had to walk down and touch it. I must say it is pretty incredible to think that this crazy tree has been alive for over 3000 years.

I also wanted to share some photos of a hike Ellie and I did a few weeks ago in Dutch Hollow. It has been really nice in the Hollow the last few weeks with all the rain and such.  A lot of flowers have been making their appearance for the summer. I was happy to see the state flower in full force putting on a show. I think it might be my new favorite. It really is a gem of a flower…

A Wee Milestone

This little blip is entirely for our benefit to journal a small but important event that occurred in the Marcoccia house last night. Ellie went poop in the potty!! WhaHoo! Gary and I have been working with her  on using the potty, she has shown interest and we have had a few “practice sessions” but last night was the first time we have had success. I realize we have a long road to haul still but I am confident that she will get it soon. I think that Gary and I have to commit to the job  now where before we were just planting the seed every now and then. Whew, Here we go…

Rainbow Connection

Written by Paul Williams and used by Kermit the Frog, of The Muppets, Jim Henson Productions

Why are there so many songs about rainbows
And what’s on the other side?
Rainbows are visions, but only illusions,
And rainbows have nothing to hide.
So we’ve been told and some choose to believe it
I know they’re wrong, wait and see.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
The lovers, the dreamers and me.

Who said that every wish would be heard and answered
when wished on the morning star?
Somebody thought of that
and someone believed it,
and look what it’s done so far.
What’s so amazing that keeps us stargazing?
And what do we think we might see?
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.

All of us under its spell,
we know that it’s probably magic….

Have you been half asleep
and have you heard voices?
I’ve heard them calling my name.
Is this the sweet sound that calls the young sailors?
The voice might be one and the same.
I’ve heard it too many times to ignore it.
It’s something that I’m supposed to be.
Someday we’ll find it, the rainbow connection,
the lovers, the dreamers and me.
La, la la, La, la la la, La Laa, la la, La, La la laaaaaaa….