Today, I...

- turned 31.
- have sore buns. tuesday's strength training class kicked my fanny, literally!
- went on a treasure hunt this morning to find the whoppers cooper picked out for me and hid for my birthday surprise.
- went for a run. it was cloudy, which was so nice. still love my shoes.
- have new mascara, thanks to Taisey! her recommendations never fail.
- jammed to great music while I cleaned my kitchen.
- made final decisions regarding health care renewal. and I feel great about them.
- had myself a birthday nap.
- bought myself birthday ice. three bags. my freezer is so happy.
- ate bundt cake, thanks to kim. so delicious!
- listened to my kids sing the apostle song, over and over and over.
- might order jeans. I got new jeans in NY, but these fit so well for the price. I think premium indigo is my favorite wash. I tried on matchstick, but I might go toothpick.
- pulled out Halloween and autumn decorations. my gourds from Maine are my favorite and most unique decorations this time of year.
- put in my dinner request with Denten, he picked it up on his way home. I gave him two choices. he went with paradise hawaiian bbq. yum.
- am excited to meet my girls for lunch tomorrow at the farm. it is perfect weather for the farm right now.

right now in my house.

we were having dinner sunday and a tiny bug landed on my corn. I was done with it but still commented that I thought having a bug on my corn was gross. cooper came to inspect immediately and denten told us to eat it. eeewwww! denten proceeded to ask cooper what he would eat if he were in the wilderness and didn't have all of this great food to eat. without missing a beat, he replied that he would kill an animal to eat. I know, this shouldn't seem strange considering my husband's hunting hobby, but we've never really talked about killing animals in the wilderness to survive.

what kind of animal, coop? a deer or a bear.

how would you kill it? with a bow and arrow. denten was so pleased.

how would you cook it? remember, you don't have a stove or an oven... I would cook it on the grill.

you don't have a grill... oh yeah. he thinks for a minute.

what about a fire? oh yeah! I forgot about that one.


It was a funny conversation. We talked later about all of the things cooper is learning and the things we should be introducing him to that we haven't yet. Dent said, he may not know everything he needs to yet, but hey, our kid knows how to survive in the wilderness! Well, almost... we gotta work on that fire part...

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reading downstairs, brushing teeth, saying prayers and singing are all part of the bedtime routine around here. lately cooper has taken over singing to seneca. we put her to bed, say good-night and then mom or dad is invited to leave while coop and senny say good-night to each other. cooper sings quietly to her, she often requests "sunbeep" or "twinkle twinkle" or sometimes he'll sings his superkids songs that he's learned at preschool. he'll tell her he loves her and she'll let him know she loves him too. good-night and he quietly sneaks out and softly closes her door.

they have enjoyed playing with each other so much lately. they go on secret missions together, sneaking around the house, running from hiding place to hiding place, giggling softly. they build imaginary creations, pretend they've got to get through the swamp, there is no end to the imagination between them.

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for the most part, beckham has been pretty low-key around here. however, when it's time to eat, there is no delaying the process. "eat, eat, eat." he's persistent and his face displays the urgency you can hear in his voice. he's getting light on his feet and runs around here keeping up with everyone and creating adventures of his own. he enjoys joining his brother and sister, but he also enjoys the quiet that comes when they are gone. he is content to line up his trains and push them along the floor, "choo-choo!" he loves books and brings them to me all day long. he asks the same questions on the same pages and corrects me if I give him an answer other than the one he expects. he's observant and is learning from watching his older siblings. he's a little parrot and mimics what they do. I'm grateful that for the most part, it is good behavior.

I love these little people.

ny: the review.

- Dawat. If you have not eaten here, go. now. After becoming comfortably acquainted with Indian food in London, it's always a gamble as to whether a new place will live up to previous experiences. This place absolutely did. After the tikki masala, lamb rogan josh, coconut curry and a mouthful of other vibrant flavors, denten said, "my mouth has not disagreed with anything yet." The entire spread was fantastic. And the naan did wonders to temper the spicy flavors, and was oh so soft. It's so good that I think dad would contemplate a return trip simply for lunch.

- Daniel. The most exquisite French cuisine I've ever experienced. I'd been once before and nothing has ever come close in rivaling the flavors and textures this chef puts out. It had lots to live up to and did not disappoint. The atmosphere and ambiance is as formal and delectable as the menu. Katelyn, who has a history of avoiding anything closely resembling red meat was tempted with the rib eye and short rib combo and critiqued that it simply melted in her mouth, the tenderness of the meat was unbelievable. Denten is still trying to figure out how they cooked it. My black sea bass was paired with just the right flavors and the carmel chocolate molten cake was a little heaven to my tongue.

- Gabriel's. After the first two dinner experiences in the city, I was a little skeptical as to whether this one would be fantastic. I don't think it's the best dining experience I've ever had, but the food was delicious and interesting. I had a butternut squash ravioli with sage and burnt butter. It was so sweet, it could have been served for dessert! Katelyn's mushroom ravioli was a great compliment with a more savory flavor. D's appetizer of roasted sweet peppers served with buffalo milk mozzarella wrapped in prosciutto and drizzled with pesto was a combo of some of my favorite flavors and textures. Dad's veal took me back to one of my most memorable meals in London when I was introduced to the heavenly meat. The highlight was my "soft-hearted chocolate truffle cake flavored with grand marnier, served with vanilla gelato and raspberry sauce. My mouth was so happy. Although the pumpkin spiced creme brulee tasted just like fall and made me excited for more seasonal recipes.

- We headed from Gabriel's up to Lincoln Center for a production of "South Pacific." It was very entertaining, the leading lady was darling and the music terrific. We had prime seats, although the theater is arranged such that I don't think there were many bad seats. We had a peek into the pit and what goes on with the orchestra is sometimes as fascinating as what goes on up on the stage. The racial undertones in the play provided an interesting storyline as well as thoughtful breakfast conversation the next morning.

- There was the obligatory shopping, as my dad confirms that we have been indeed suckered into the consumerism that holds our society hostage. I figure my spending in fine places simply helps our economy pull out of its slump, correct? at the end of our days, I was ready for a fine hotel, a good book and sleep. all of which were at my disposal. the entire trip really was a treat.

this a very serious, strategic planning session- one of many where I thought mom would actually climb into her map, I pretended I had a better idea, Katelyn waited patiently, Wade did the obvious, Denten took pictures of all of us while Dad read in Central Park.




- As denten and I wandered up to the old hood late one evening, nostalgia overcame me. On Columbia's campus I told him I just wanted to cry, I missed it so badly. He wondered how on earth we ended up together. While life would be so different going back there today with a family than it was during our simple student life, I still think of the adventures the east coast holds and am so grateful for the opportunity to visit now and then, to fill my city cup and reluctantly return to the desert. I truly had a marvelous time.

ny: the art connaisseurs

I had very important thoughts regarding the kandinsky exhibit.

dad, katelyn and wade ascending the steps outside the met.

katelyn, in deep reflction.

dad, in even deeper reflection. or asleep...

ny: through d's lens

denten is not a shop-til-you-drop-er. I know, shocking. he's also done all of the touristy things there are to do in the city, and he's taken pictures of all of it. so the focus of this trip was more people watching than anything else. he is a sociologist at heart, you know. he and wade would sit for extended periods of time at various places in the city and watch people as they walked by, pretending to know what they were thinking. they thought they were absolutely hilarious. really, they cracked themselves right up. in the city that sees it all, and I mean all, they were never lacking for material. he took a zillion pictures (I'm only exaggerating a little). here are a few shots from ny, this time around.

for you, sister

this sister did not appreciate the photo I posted of her.

here are a few other options...

don't worry, sister. I was cold, too.

bar harbor, 2009

the runners, pre-race.

coming down the finish chute.

we will not dwell on the fact that the big toe on my foot covering caught an uneven piece of pavement and caused me to completely wipe out about a mile in... a complete roll that left me lying in the road with runners all around me. no, we won't dwell on that... instead the fact that I finished and that it was oh so pretty to run through all that green!

big d.

dad and kate.

post-race.

these two killed it. they ran the half-marathon distance at an average pace of 7 min. and 27 seconds a mile. d's comment is that it's amazing what his body can do when we remove the heat factor. seriously.

our digs. The Bass Cottage Inn. quaint and charming are the appropriate terms.

it's just so ugly in maine.

as we drove from bangor to bar harbor beneath the changing leaves, we looked at each other and wondered why on earth we lived in the desert. between all the untouched land, the green, the trees, the water, the autumn season... why doesn't the whole world live on the east coast? it gets bloody cold, but even I might be able to deal with that considering how absolutely gorgeous it is.

stop one: success. and beautiful.

home.

back to a different reality,

thoughts and adventures to come slowly as life seemed to pick up just where we left it.

it is possible to return from time away both refreshed and exhausted.

renewed and inspired.

nostalgic and grateful.

photography in the next few posts credited to the one and only ddr.

reporting from NYC.  the shoes I brought have been completely adequate.  the weather is completely fabulous and I haven't eaten this well since, well, ever.  I'm pretty sure my family is surviving just fine without me and I'm pretending I don't have to go back to real life in a couple of days.  so much I could share, but not now.  

with love,

me.

a very serious dilemma.

I'm packed to go visit places where autumn exists. I've realized in this packing process that my "winter clothes" have not changed in the last five years. I don't have great shoes that I can wear when I want to wear socks. I mean, boots are great, but I don't want to take up suitcase space with boots... anyway, it's weird to go back to a place that I used to live and love and not know what to wear on my feet. It's a terrible dilemma, I know. Despite my love for warm sweaters and beautiful coats, I have become very accustomed to my warm-weather wardrobe that is so easy to wear. Denten is being oh so sympathetic to my plight... need shoes that will be darling and comfortable as we will be walking a lot, and it will be chilly... see?! I'm not being unreasonable here!

Denten's mom arrived tonight and after a very loud and enthusiastic welcome by all three grandchildren, Cooper came to tell me that it was time for me to on a trip now. I suppose I won't be missed very much, and I'm ok with that. Live it up with grandma and please bless her to hold onto her sanity. Especially during sacrament meeting. Anyone wanna help her with three little busy bodies??

If I find some great shoes, I'll be sure to let you know.

fleeting cleanliness.

this week has been dedicated to a major clean-out. while there's so much that could still be done, each room (minus one) has been dejunked, organized, vacuumed, dusted and straightened up. how satisfying is a perfectly clean room? how sad is it that it can never last? as I have moved from room to room I have prayed that the kids and the mess would stay ahead of me, and it has, for the most part. things are either so clean, or had gotten so messy, that denten walked in monday night and looked around our bedroom. he came to find me and asked if we were moving. Ha!

while part of me wanted to ban my family from entering any "complete" rooms, I found myself full of gratitude for these little busy bodies that love to play with each other and who have been become content to use their toys and their imaginations to entertain themselves rather than the computer or television. we haven't had the tv on for the last couple of weeks while the kids are awake and while it was a struggle at first, they have come to understand that there are many options available to them when the tv is not. so while the tractor bin has been dumped on the freshly vacuumed floor, and beckham is driving his trucks all around the farm, I can relish in the fact that at least it got vacuumed.

these children of mine have been great little helpers. cooper vacuums the stairs, empties the garbages and loads and changes the laundry along with regular dishwasher duty. seneca is responsible for sorting the toys in the playroom into their proper bin and rounding up all the dirty laundry to put in the hamper. beckham basically does whatever I ask and is thrilled to be included. he runs garbage to the can, toys and clothes to their homes and squeals while chasing the vacuum. it has been liberating to part with stuff from each room and create my give-away boxes.

I need to move onto meals and have a few ready so grandma doesn't have a meltdown when dinnertime arrives, but hey, at least the house will be clean!

dear kari,

i believe that a woman may be stronger than a man,

particularly if she has love in her heart.

i guess a loving woman is indestructible.

- john steinbeck { east of eden }

he said it so well. absolutely beautiful.

stuff on my mind.

- a dear friend's heartache. good will come, patience is trying.
- while I am anxious for fall, it makes me feel pressure to get out and use the pool before my hot days in the sun are gone.
- swimming every day sounds lovely, but there are other things to get done in this house!
- room by room my home is being cleaned and de-junked. it feels so good.
- mother-in-law is coming to stay with my children while d and I escape to the east coast for a few days. please pray for her.
- leaving for a week requires a week's worth of preparation and a week of recuperation.
- I'm excited for new energy events that are in the works. good projects!
- my birthday is approaching and until a friend mentioned it today, I hadn't even thought about it. must mean they don't matter as much as they used to!
- denten has got to stop doing 100 mile bike rides in 100 degree heat. it is not good for anyone involved.
- denten is wonderful. he's just right for me right now. he's funny and considerate and my favorite person to talk to.
- visiting teaching. I have got to do my visiting teaching!
- primary. I am not stressed out the least bit about my calling. is something wrong with that?
- I miss relief society like crazy. just try not to think about it.
- I have high, hesitant hopes for cooper's new music class. great potential...
- seneca talks all the time. about everything. verbal is her strength. although she doesn't struggle with the physical either... perhaps patience is her weakness. nevermind, she's two.
- beckham is her little parrot. I love him more and more these days. I never didn't love him, but he's gosh darn adorable to me lately.
- denten and I eat cookie dough on the couch late at night.
- I need a good book for my trip.
- coop's bedroom furniture needs to be delivered before I leave in three days.
- I am happy.

a night at the ballpark

I had a hot date this week with two very handsome gentlemen.

the game was interesting to the two adults present, but aside from the high number of broken bats and random outbursts of cheering, the little guy got a little bored.

this is how he filled his time:

oh, and a little of this.

I thought that a for sure I wouldn't get cold at a baseball game in pheonix seeing as it's still 100+ outside, but of course they chose to close the roof and blast the AC. I realize most probably appreciated that action, but I forgot my jacket. Seriously, I have a problem.

All in all, a great evening. funny and interesting company, back-to-back homeruns, and a culture unique to baseball. and weird dodgers fans. and ice cream. perfect.

the tire swing.

fashioning some good ole' fashioned fun.



trying it out.



beckham's turn.

the county fair.

small towns have much to offer. my father might (most definitely) disagree that the county fair is one of those things. I, however, am a sucker for crowds and carnival rides. therefore, our trip included the local parade, fair and stomach-turning rides.

and... my magic shoes and I ran the Iron County Fair 5K. wish I had a picture, but my photographer was a little busy attending to children while I was on my adventure. I felt the altitude change a little, but more than that was the fact that more than half the run was on a very rough dirt, rocky road. not a problem if you have thick soles on your shoes! it took a little more concentration to run in my snazzy footwear and navigate the rough terrain. not to mention what a spectacle I was... it's amazing the things people will say thinking you can't hear them. anyway, onto photos of the fair...

the mountain.

horse valley. one part of our southern utah adventure. seneca's first time fishing.

the fancy fishing boat. cooper's patience.

seneca fascinated with the wiggly thing grandpa caught. cooper's catch.

the "cabin." let's just say that I grew up with a very different and perhaps misleading definition of what a cabin is. rustic is a pretty good word.

my dream kitchen. actually, I was quite grateful for the stove seeing as summertime to me has come to mean less than three layers. I was cold all day. happy to stand and grill sandwiches.

lunchtime.

a few of the robinson crew that was available for a cookout. dutch oven at its finest. water fresh from the spring. dirt that is apparently holy.

coming soon: project tire swing.

off to the hills.

my previous post was somewhere along the lines of the influence of television, my thoughts on super-heros and characters and stuff like that. no, it hasn't come together any better, but I've got too many other things to do than try to write that particular post appropriately right now.

we're leaving town for the weekend... up to southern utah so denten can squeeze in as much mountain, fishing, scouting for big animals as possible in a long weekend. and introduce our children to the same. even though we'll be with family, I kind of feel like I'm leaving civilization for a while. that's not all bad, mind you. it means that projects that require this here computer will be on hold for a few days and in exchange, I'll go breathe some good clear mountain air and relax while my children get filthy dirty. I'll talk energy with grandpa, talk about everyone else with grandma, hope to miraculously match schedules with kari ann and sleep in a ridiculously old and very soft bed with my husband with my three children less than three feet away. I'm sure there will be photos upon my return. hope you all rest from your labors on this lovely labor day weekend. speaking of labor, I have an enormous amount of laundry to do in the next 3 hours. adios.

I just wrote an entire blog post three different times and it still wasn't right. I have stuff in my head, I promise. It just won't come out right yet. I'll try again later.