First braids

I can't believe her hair is long enough to braid!
There's something about this style that makes her look SO much older!

Yee-haw!

Derek and I are Cub Scout den leaders in our ward and last week was the Blue and Gold banquet.
Our pack decided on a Wild West theme.
It turned out really cute and the boys loved the chance to rope "cattle," throw horseshoes, participate in a cowboy relay and, of course, eat.
Lydia loved it all too. Although there's absolutely no real "cowboy" flowing naturally through her veins, she seemed right at home with everything.

Lydia especially loved that this rope was PINK

My husband... he's kind of just a big kid sometimes :)

Love him!

Peaceful serenity

Yep, that about describes our weekend getaway.


As a Valentine's surprise, Derek arranged for my parents to take Lydia and booked a room for us in Springdale, just outside Zion National Park.
SO wonderful!

We kicked off the day with a 5K race. Actually, Derek and I were both supposed to run it but an ankle injury for me left me to cheer on the sidelines. I was proud of Derek -- he did great -- but a little jealous that he got to have the great feeling of accomplishment at the end and I didn't.


From there we went cleaned up and then wandered through Art in Kayenta -- a great little outdoor art festival -- before heading to Springdale to the Cable Mountain Lodge situated at the mouth of Zion National Park.
It was so relaxing! Springdale is in its off season so there's not nearly as much to do as far as shopping etc. as there will be in the next few months. However, I was more than content to just have a nice dinner out and then veg out in our room the rest of the night. Plus, we got to sleep in on Sunday morning for the first time in ages!
We woke up to snow on Zion's magnificent peaks. It was the perfect way to end our relaxing weekend getaway.

Valentine's Day wrap up

Making homemade Valentines

My little Valentine

This year Derek was in charge of our actual Valentine's Day plans which included flowers for me at work (yeah!) and a quiet evening at home, which I loved! It feels like we don't have very many of those lately so it was the perfect way to celebrate the day. We had pizza and gave Lydia her Valentine's gifts, then shared the candy she'd received at school, plus all the treats Derek gets as a school teacher.
So much sugar!
Plus, since Valentine's is actually our engagement anniversary (7 years!!!), Derek surprised me with plans for an anniversary getaway soon.
I had no idea he was going to do that! I love that he made all the arrangements and all I have to do is go. :)
Such a cute husband. Honey, I love you!

Las Vegas wedding

It's an experience I never anticipated having, but one that I was definitely intrigued by. To be able to attend a true Las Vegas wedding — on the Strip no less — well, let's just say I was excited at the prospect.

Derek's brother, Heber, and his girlfriend decided this would be the simplest — and indeed the quickest — way to tie the knot last weekend. So with only a few days notice we gathered up some clothes in the bride's color scheme (hot pink and black) and drove to The Little Church of the West Wedding Chapel to celebrate their marriage.

It started with a wedding dinner at the Cheesecake Factory, followed by a ride on the carousel at The District while we waited for the bride and groom to get in their wedding clothes.

Lydia seeking protection from Grandma Larson. She is not a fan of crowds or people she doesn't know well.

Then we were off to what is touted as the most historic wedding chapel in Vegas.

You can't see us, but Derek and I are standing below the sign to commemorate our experience.

Apparently this particular chapel was the first one in Las Vegas — although it's changed locations several times.
I had no idea what to expect. Would it be Elvis performing the ceremony? My mind was a flutter at the possibility.

In the end there was no Elvis — though he is purported to have been married their himself... in a movie, not for real. Real celebs who have been married here (according to the chapel's web site) include Angelina Jolie to Billy Bob Thornton, Judy Garland to someone, and Kiefer Sutherland, though from the photo it looks like Kiefer was the groomsman, not the groom.
Now Heber and Billie Larson are added to the list. Congratulations! We wish you the best in your lives together.

A little voyeuristic, but this shot of the two of them checking in at the office just had to be recorded. Lamely, it's the only picture I have of the bride and groom. Trust me, they looked very nice. Other people, with better cameras than I, were fortunately on hand to get some nice shots of them.

You're not allowed to take photos inside the chapel. Luckily I had already taken this one when I learned about the rule.

Poor Lydia. It was a long, napless day for her.

Season of Love

I think Valentine's Day gets kind of a bad rap.

Loathed by most singles, merely tolerated by some couples and ignored by others... I don't get it. What's not to love about a day that calls for cheesy cards, soft sugar cookies piled with even sweeter frosting, and an abundance of red paired with pink (one of the few times this color combination is accepted)?

Yes, Cupid and I have had our disagreements in the past. I well remember the year one of one of my co-workers and I were determined to have flowers delivered to us at work — a tall order since neither of us were dating anyone at the time. In the end it was our parents that came through for us.

Sweet... and sad, all at the same time.

However, one of the things I love about this month — in addition to the cookies I already mentioned — is the decorations that go with it.

This year I stole an idea from my friend, Rachel, and made this heart wreath. I have to say, it turned out better than I expected. It was pretty simple, just a little time consuming. But with several episodes of "Parenthood" on DVD in the background the time went by quickly.

I like it so much that I made a round version for my mother-in-law for her birthday.

Happy Valentine's season!