homemade rolls

I've grown up on my mom's Sunday dinner rolls. My mom grew up on them, too: it's a Grammie Doll recipe.

For a Spittler cousin shower before I was married, my mom tied the recipe all cute to a wooden rolling pin as her gift to me. There's something special in a gift from the heart.

Tonight I tried my hand at following the recipe. I think they'll be a hit. 

Thanks, Mom, for sending love from your kitchen to mine. 

xoxoxo

independence day 2009

Amy and Jon came into town for the 4th, and we had plenty of fun adventures. We spent the day of the 4th in Denver shopping our favorite boutique street and 16th street, too. Sadly, Brian and Mike worked oh-so hard. We took turns holding adorable Jack in the back pack, which was too fun. 

That night, the guys met up with us for the Rockies baseball game, which was a blast, and I actually got really into it (baseball is easy, let's be honest). They didn't win despite my cheers and yells. But the firework display was seriously unreal. Bri and I laughed it was so dang good. I loved being at a favorite American past-time on America Day.

And, I still revel in having an additional four siblings, all of whom I LOVE (+ three more at home in Bountiful!). 

us. amy&jon. mike&lauren&babyjack.

outside the field just before heading in. 

gorgeous,  right?

us. 

he just makes me smile from ear to ear because i love him so much. 

oh, man. 

washington park. 

*pictures courtesy of Lauren

garden park

My last post was about my family, and here I am again posting about them. I just love them so much. And I'm pretty positive a big part of me really misses them.

These pictures were taken a couple of weeks ago when I was home for Sam's farewell. We took a walk to the church (our ward building is just walking distance from our house), which we frequently did when I was growing up. I love night walks around Garden Park. I love walks in general. It all stems from family walks ever since I can remember. 

sharing a bit of our town

{washington park paddle boat ride}

mom.sophie.madi.me.

{ice cream at the famous bonnie brae's}

{nighttime water aerobics}
struggling to get our act together

Now they've left. Way sad. 

We laughed so hard and shared some fun things together. 

Family is just the best. 

home sweet home

{driving from slc to co.}

Mom and Madi were in one car, Soph and I in the other. I drove our car, which is manual, so it was a big deal (and the truest test of my driving skills). We rocked out to oldies and pop (a little Backstreet Boys, not gonna lie) and finally arrived back in good 'ol Colorado Springs around 9:30pm. It was heaven to see Brian again! 

Yesterday the girls and I went to the pool and did some bargain shopping at the outlets. We love having them stay with us in our cute little apartment and see our world! 

It felt sort of funny the first night being hostess to my mother. "I feel like I should tuck you in," she told me as we said goodnight. What fun, though, to show off our new married life to them! 

farewell

It's been a week since Sam's farewell. We've already received a letter and an email, and he already sounds older and wiser. He looooves the MTC and his companion. They both love ties and being clean. 

Kathy and Clark came home this afternoon from their MTC seminar this past week. They gave us the blow-by-blow of it, and then it was goodbye. I didn't think I was going to be emotional, but it was actually really hard to say goodbye for three years. I can't wait 'til they're there with Sam, though!

sam and the girls

some family who have served missions

me. rachel. liz: cousins three

jumping cousins

(i look like i'm gonna fall flat on my face. chloe looks slightly nervous about hitting the ground. sam and madi are beyond great --- madi should be in a gap commercial.)

black and white panoramics part II