Sneak peek

Remember that huge, crazy embroidery project I said I was going to work on? I'm halfway done. Ü

My new goal is the end of August.

Monterey Aquarium

We went to the Monterey Aquarium last week (thanks to a friend with guest passes we could use), and it was wonderful. Livia was positively enraptured and has talked about the different sea creatures she saw nearly every day since. I love it!

At one point, as we were watching the Open Ocean exhibit depicted so often in the video below, Livia had her back up against the glass and turned around just in time to see the hammerhead shark come swimming directly toward her, turning upward only when it reached the glass! It startled her so much she fell over, causing everyone around us to burst out laughing. Picture it. It was funny.

The miracle of modern technology

There is a lot of technology that I love and appreciate. But today, my very favorite is...

drum roll please....

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The Magic Eraser! How did our mothers survive without this?!

Livia never napped today. She had "quiet time" instead. And in that quiet time managed to color on three walls and every single surface of her little table. Including the underside, as pictured below (forgive her post naptime hair. It was in pigtails when I first put her in her crib):

Beautiful, isn't it? But, I am pleased to report that 10 minutes later my walls and the table were clean again! Thank you, Mr. Clean.

(Anyone else wonder how that thing works?? It's amazing!)

Vacation

Not that we went on one...we're just planning on it. A few months from now.

We came up with a list of options. A long list. And then I went through and planned out what exactly we would do in each vacation, how much it would cost, how long it would take, etc. etc. (You think it's time-consuming planning ONE vacation...) and presented them to Chase. After much deliberation, a few changes of mind, and some technical difficulties, yesterday we booked ourselves a Mexican cruise!

And I'm excited! Chase wanted time to relax, I wanted to be out and doing something, and I think this will provide us with a good dose of each. Many thanks go out to my parents for being willing to watch Livia while we go (I would feel guilty about leaving her behind, except she's ecstatic about getting to go to her grandparent's house!).

I've heard cruises are a great vacation to do with friends. So, if anyone wants to go....Ü

A busy week

Tuesday we went swimming: no pictures

Wednesday I tagged along with some friends in a neighboring ward to go berry picking. (I will most definitely be going back in a couple weeks, for anyone who wants to join me!)We drove with these two lovely ladies.

Livia ran wild in the strawberry patch
And ate a green one because I specifically asked her not to.

Playing with her friend Sarah during lunch

Livia did pretty well with the olallieberries, and picked only the really ripe, black ones. She may or may not have eaten more than her share straight off the vine. Whoops!

Thursday was swimming again. Here she is lounging with her friend, Ty.

Friday we went to the beach with a bunch of friends.

Initially terrified of the frigid waters, Livia finally overcame her fear and had a blast playing in the waves with her friend, Miles.She kept running back to tell me "I do it! Livia do it!"Saturday (after an extremely disappointing game in the world cup) we headed out as a family to a local park.

Say hello to the "cauliflower trees"

Livia picked out her own outfit that day. Not bad, eh?

It was fun. We took good, long naps every day. Here's to being busy and spending time with friends!

Life with Livvy

Snug as a bug in a rug (one of her new favorite games) Father's day with Daddy

Reading to her baby

Spinning at happy hollow. This video makes me dizzy just watching it!

Cousins

This is for my wonderful in-laws, Rich and Cheryl. It's so fun to watch Livvy and Ella play together!