The ABC's (and some other letters too)

**NOTE:  may want to grab some snacks and a large Diet Coke... Long Post Ahead**

Wow! I am so behind on my blog updates… just been having way too much fun this last week.  Let me catch you up on all the latest.  This post definitely calls for lettered itemization:

A.  RAY UPDATE

I have completed 24 out of 30 treatments now… yay!  I’m still feeling pretty good, but got hit with another annoying cold last week.  I'm realizing [and finally admitting] that my body is just plain run down and I am not taking the time to rest like I should.  But c'mon.  Rest?  Really? Ain’t nobody got time for ‘dat! (If you don't know what that's from, YouTube it. It'll make you laugh).  

B.  TUESDAY BREAKFAST

Laura Madrian

My sweet friend, Laura Madrian, met me for a quick Jamba breakfast on Tuesday morning.  Laura lives in my neighborhood and is such a sweetheart!  She is the mom of 3 and stepmom to 4.  We talked all about the blessings and challenges of blended families... something I happen to know about first hand.  Laura has the best attitude and handles all that comes her way with faith, grace and a positive attitude. I love it!  Getting to know this lady a little better was an awesome way to start my day!

C.  TUESDAY LUNCH

Known to grandkids as Marmie & Poppy

On Tuesday, I got to go to lunch with two of my all-time favorite people, who happen to be my in-laws, Chuck and Rebecca Ellis.  This amazing couple is an extra large cup of awesome sauce!  From the minute I came into their family nearly 19 years ago, they accepted me whole-heartedly and with open arms.  And I have loved, I mean LOVED, being a part of their family. 

After living in Pasadena, California for their entire married life and raising all 5 of their kids there, Chuck and Rebecca designed and built their dream home in Heber, UT, where they retired about 6 years ago.  They absolutely love it there - and we love having them there.  Heber is a gathering place for the whole family.  4th of July parties, family reunions, Christmas vacations, girls weekends, Ragnar pit stops, Sunday dinners, or just a quick weekend getaway – any excuse to go to Heber and we are there!   Chuck and Rebecca are, hands-down, THE best hosts.  Rebecca will cook made-to-order breakfasts, lunches and dinners or entertain the grandkids with arts, crafts, gardening or their garage full of motorized toys and wiggle cars.  Meanwhile, Chuck will take any willing participant fishing at Strawberry Reservoir on his pontoon boat, where you are guaranteed to catch a vast supply of rainbow trout (which Rebecca will gladly fry up for you!).  Heber is just the best place, surrounded by the best people.  I feel blessed and lucky to be a part of this amazing family!

D.  WEDNESDAY LUNCH

Janna and I went to a few shops after lunch

Thought about buying this sign...

On Wednesday I got to go to lunch with one of my dear friends, Janna Hubert.  Janna and I have become friends over the last few years as our husbands have worked together.  I mentioned a few posts ago that we have traveled together as couples and families.  Janna is the perfect travel buddy because she is so fun to be around and a go-with-the-flow kind of gal.  And this girl is witty as all get out... she makes me laugh every time we are together!  Oh, and we never run out of things to talk about - the sign of a true friend!  

We went to a cute little bistro on Main Street in American Fork called Cravings Bistro.  I am now madly in love with this darling little local-owned cafe.  Their specialty is the grilled cheese sandwich.  Not just your average grilled cheese... I'm talkin' spinach-artichoke with sundried tomatoes or cheddar & bacon with sliced apples kind of grilled cheese.  And for an extra buck you can get a dipper-size side of one of their tasty soups. Oh my, t'was delicious!  Okay, but get this twist... the owner has a twin sister who owns a bakery called Cravings Cupcakes, which is only 8 minutes away (and the twins are 8 minutes apart - crazy, right?).  Check out cravingstwincompanies.com to learn more about this fun story and then go try it.  It won't disappoint!

E.  AUBREY'S BIRTHDAY

My sweet little Aubrey turned 11 on Thursday.  Can't believe how grown-up she is getting!  We had a weekend-long celebration in Vegas (see letter F).  Here are a few pics of my big girl!

Baby Aubrey 

About age 4

Aubrey and Aunt Karen have a special relationship

My cute girls!

With Marmie for Easter - 2009?

Aubrey and her besties - Halloween 2011

Celebration at Marmie & Poppy's

Summer decorated this cake

F.  VEGAS BABY

Aubrey's dance group had a dance competition in Vegas over the weekend, so a bunch of moms and daughters loaded up the burbs (i.e. Suburbans) and caravanned down for a fun, girls-only weekend.  We spent a day by the pool, went to fun restaurants, did a little shopping and watched hours upon hours of dances with enough glitter, feathers and spandex to make any Vegas show proud (minus the scantily-clad showgirls, of course).  But if you ask Aubrey, her highlight was riding the New York New York roller-coaster.  My highlight was realizing that my girl is turning into a beautiful dancer and also getting to know some of the dance mamas a little better (who are so not like the moms on that TLC show!)

My little performer

Cute bunch of 'birds'

A break between dances

Dance friends are the best

G.  BABY EMMETT
This one doesn't have a lot to do with me, but I just had to mention my new little nephew that was born on May 2nd.  Meet Emmett Howard Green, born to my little bro Erick and his wife Addie.  Is he the cutest or what?

He was 8 lbs. 13 oz. - BIG BOY!

So, there's my crazy busy week/weekend.  Phew!  I'm tired just reading/writing about it.  But it was sooooooo much fun!  And now back to reality [and operation de-clutter]. Ugh!

Aly