i actually did some things a long time ago.

For McClane's birthday at the beginning of July, I sent him a box of sunshine.

It was random and mostly yellowish.  In theory it was awesome, 

and I wonder if he even got it, but I felt like I was being happy & supportive.

Then Maddy and I joined (several times) our dear friend Daniel to pick raspberries in his back yard.

I may have spent just as much time playing with Lily the sweetest dog as picking, but that's how I roll.

We took those millions of raspberries to Smithfield 

where we babysat & I made my first ever batch of jam!

I'm pretty much a domestic goddess now. 

(Also, freezer jam is the easiest thing ever.)

We also had some Aggie Blue Mint, cause how can you not?

Jean's Dream Machine 2012

In exactly two weeks and one day, the last of my more manly friends will be leaving on his LDS mission to the Philippines. (see previous goodbyes here)

I've been telling everyone lately what an awkward time of life this is!  It's not that I don't want to make friends with men older than me (trust me, I do), but it's just that all of the sudden, these boys I grew up with are all gone, and I'm trying to replace them one by one.  I don't necessarily want to, but it needs to happen.  

To celebrate his growing up and our freaking out, we road tripped it to Bear Lake this weekend!  I had never been, so at the beginning of the summer I causally suggested that we go.  Then all the sudden we were making plans, buying food, and test driving the Party Bus/Jean's Dream Machine!

We headed up Friday night after the Bountiful Parade (which I did not know existed until this week.  Pioneer Day just isn't a deal in FL, okay?!), but it lasted a lot longer than anticipated. However, we just had to stay and watch all our boys march with their fellow "2,000 Stripling Warriors."  I'm pretty sure I would have been more excited about it if I wasn't crabby about waiting to see the lake.  

 We watched them walk by twice and it took a long time.  

One day we'll find out if 2,000 of them actually showed up.

 We finally left and I took up residence as DJ.  Everybody loved it I'm sure.  Karlie took a nap because she works hard during the week making sure her pre teen campers don't die.  She's the best.  

Luckily, she slept through a scary tale about the abandoned nunnery in Logan Canyon, that Justin thought would be good to relate at 11 pm whilst driving through said canyon.  Awesome.

 We dropped by Rachel's brother-in-law's condo to get directions to the property.  At 12.30 am we pitched our tents in a beautiful meadow, then decided the bottle opener in the van needed to be used.  That moment, sitting in a crazy van with an IBC and some of my best friends, was perfect.  

I'm pretty positive that set the mood for the rest of the weekend.

Saturday we partied on the boat all day long.

Karlie was the most photogenic and beautiful of us all.  Even after getting wet.

 Justin got up on the water skis for the first time and became a real Keate!  We are so proud of him.  Karlie made a valiant effort, and I decided to be lazy.  I was raised on a sailboat, so even when I get the chance to be on a party boat, I can't help but just relax and enjoy the sun and wind.

 For the record, I did spend a good amount of time bobbing in our homemade waves in my dead baby life jacket.  The water never felt better.  And as the palest one in attendance, I feel it important to mention that I was the only one to come away without a sunburn.

Saturday night, we may have made Justin light his own birthday candles and barely managed to squeak out "happy birthday!"  Oh, wait. That was just me.  I managed to go from happy & tired to so sick in about 2 minutes.

Sunday morning I made everybody wake up earlyish so we could get out of there and back home so I could shower and make it to church to hear my sister speak in my aunt's ward (twist!). 

Once I had a good long nap and actually thought about the crazy weekend I just had, I couldn't believe how wonderful it was.  As my dear uncle always says, it was "a little slice of heaven."

one day

READ THIS.

Aren't they great?

I want that.  I would do it right now.
I'd book a ticket and go to New Zealand.  Or Thailand.

I think about it and then I can't.

Because what if I should do it with my husband?  What if I don't get married for a while?  

I'll just finish school first.  I hate school, so I should enjoy life.  

I can't afford it.  I can't afford a lot of things, but this would be worth it.  

I'll work when I come back broke.  

Anyway.

I'm praying that one day I'll get the inspiration to just go.
And I won't worry, because I won't need to.

I'll keep you updated.

on marriage, pt. 2

The reception was in our neighbor's beautiful back yard 

and I'm pretty sure it was the best one I've ever been to.

Except, I forgot my real camera.  I was sad.

But not sad enough to trek home in my uncomfortable heels.

When Maddy blogs her schamncy photos, there will be a link to the beauty.

 bridesmaidzillas

baby boy fell asleep while we drank italian sodas.  good babysitters.

 I was a little proud of the cake because I found the design. 

it was gorgeous and made by our talented neighbor!

while everyone else was cleaning up, I grabbed this cute girl for a pic.

then: "sorry, my bum's wet."

every good wedding ends with a pee soaked dress, I guess.

on marriage

On Thursday the 21st, JJ & Kait got married!

bonding on the way to the temple.

I want to be them one day.  the sweetest.

in spite of all the movement/excitement, I got this.  and I'm very proud.

the girls were ridiculously excited to hold Kait's train.  I always forget how that is.

while we were waiting for our turn on the stairway to heaven/love booth, Jack made his way behind another couple still taking pictures and made himself comfortable.  it was beyond hilarious to everyone except his parents.

right before pictures, two of the baby boys had poop issues.  

pictures were sad, but once changed and given ice, this one was ridiculously happy.

and naked.

I secretly adore this dress.  this girl was the cutest and owned that pink satin and polyester lace.

galoon

So.  This happened.

I love that place.  And stuff.

on dining

The day before the wedding was spent making 300 cookies with Megan. 

That night we dined at the golf course and felt super classy.

I ate cranberry chicken, laughed at the toasts/speeches

(I'm obviously mature), 

and watched two families come together over some really good punch.

Megan and I did the Asian leg in all our pictures

and Ava decided it was a good time to give a surprise attack.

We love parties!

(one day I'll post something other than recycled instagrams)

i'm not crazy

Every time there's a new baby in the family, I spend a ridiculous amount of time gushing about the cute little newborn goat noises that they make.  You know those?  I love those.  I think it's the most adorable thing ever.

Turns out I'm not the only one:

(via)

Best ever.  There was this article about vanishing languages that featured Tuvan, and Tuva is a republic of Russia, so I found it even more perfect.

I seriously could not love this more.  

on showering

My cousin Kaitlyn got married last week!  I was either not born or too little to help with or remember any of my (5!) sisters' weddings.  Anyway, I was really excited to do what I could to help this time around!

She was thrown quite a few showers, but we got to attend the three best.

First: the ward shower.

We basically ate food and wore pretty ribbons while she blushed at the traditional crazy lingerie gift from our neighbor.  It was great.

Then, we had a sisters/cousin shower!

We went to the Beehive Tea Room in Salt Lake.  I had a yummy hummus sandwich and a lavender Italian soda!  I love me some florals.  I've been wanting to go there for years, and it was not at all what I expected, but so cute and fun.  One day I'll go back and actually have some tea. 

Then we did a little shopping and came home and ate a lot of cookies in the name of marriage. 

The last shower was a little get together thrown by Kaitlyn's new aunts, who are probably the sweetest, most interesting ladies ever.