Natalie's Birthday, Emily style.. and Her Menagerie

I had some training up in Utah this last week so I thought as long as the company was paying for me to travel I might as well take Friday off and spend the whole weekend with my family. Bethanie and Angela had planned on coming down so we all celebrated Natalie's birthday together and played with Emily's new menagerie. I was going to break this up into a couple of posts (Natalie's birthday, Emily's Menagerie, and fun at the Riverwoods) but seeing's how I'm slacking in the blogging department, I thought I better just get it out there.  So be prepared for lots of pictures and some video.

Natalie wanted a hotdog cookout so that's what we did.  Emily's backyard is awesome for it.  Emily's roommate Mamariene joined us.

Angela borrowed a t-shirt from Emily to get all smoky.

Hannah sitting in Angela's chair

This is the picture I sent Mom to make her jealous of the fun we were having.

I thought it was funny that we had the party by the chicken coop. We all wanted to be under the shade.

The chickens loved it though... apparently they are big fans of squash mac and cheese.

I had Angela take a picture of me by the coop as well.

All the kids were eating an awful lot of watermelon... and then giving the "rinds" to the chickens/ducks. There was usually quite a bit of meat left on those rinds :)

Natalie's birthday cake! She wanted an ice cream cake and Bethanie let me buy it as my present to her.

The wind kept blowing out the candles but we sang... (remember the video I took sideways a couple years ago of the train which I then couldn't turn when I got back? This time I was determined to do it right so I carefully held my phone upwards all the time.  Well, this phone takes video SIDEWAYS!   Sigh.  I guess now I know.  Just tilt your head a little to the side and if it really bothers you, I'll show it to you on my phone)

Yummy cake!

Even Bethanie had some, though she's been watching her girlish figure. Doesn't she look great?

The ducks (who were jealous of all the attention the chickens were getting so Emily let them out after we were done eating... they are big beggars) also got a part of the cake, but they were more impressed with the watermelon than the flowers.  I got pretty good over the weekend at smashing the too big snails so they could eat them.

Natalie got a beautiful new purple dress, shoes, and some bracelets to go with it.

I didn't get a picture of the smore cooking afterword but I think we all had a way fun time... and I will probably post some pictures of the fun we had at the Riverwoods later cuz I've run out of time posting this.

Thanks so much Emily!  Isn't this such a cute picture of her and Sparkle?

PS. I'm kinda sad I won't be going up there this weekend to put flowers on our ancestors graves (last year it was SO much fun) but since I was just up there... Emily might get too much of a good thing :).  Besides, I'll be seeing everyone in a few weeks for the Family Reunion. So excited!

Woman of Smarts

Last week the Laurels in my ward called to see if they could drop something by in 20 minutes.  They had a delivery or 2 before me but wanted to make sure I would be home.

Figuring it was cookies, I said yes. I'm always down for cookies.

Having just got home from work, I quickly ate dinner and then rushed around picking up the front room and bringing in the rugs from off the porch after shaking them... they may or may not have been out there since the weekend.  My goal to always have my house clean when I leave in case something happens (the 2yr anniversary of my bicycle accident was Monday) isn't working so well.  Perhaps I need to change my middle name to Lazy or Housework Unmotivated.

Anyways, they stopped by and gave me this.

A nicely decorated plate with individually wrapped yummy chocolate, some lotion, and finger nail polish.  The presentation was awesome.

And what does it say?  Woman of Knowledge, Melanie Smart Helm.

Apparently I exemplify the young woman value of knowledge because, as they said, "your middle name is Smart".

How right they are.

When I told this story at work, Marcia (my drafter) said "Boy, have you got them fooled!"

I think the more proper saying would be "Boy, have you got them trained!"

PS.  The young woman didn't realize my window was open and as they were leaving I heard "awkward" and "next time".  I hadn't thought the meeting on my doorstep was awkward but its well known that knowledge and social skills don't necessarily go together :)