It's Not Summer Until the First S'More

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Oh summer, the magical, mystical time of year. The sun is out and the shorts are on and anything feel possible. I love it, don't you? For me, summer is official after  I've roasted a marshmallow over a real fire and then eaten it's crunchy, fluffy goodness and repeated the process five or six or twenty times (I really like marshmallows). Two weeks into the summer vacation, I finally got to have my s'more. Now I'm ready to blast off into a whirlwind of summery stuff. 

This year, I've decided to approach things a little different than my usual relaxing vacations. I want to use this summer to grow as a person, and so I've complied a list of goals for things I want to do before August 13, my first day of school stuff. My list is as follows:

1. Learn to love to eat healthy. No more relying on chips and McDonalds to survive the day. I know s'mores are counter productive to this, but sometimes you have to enjoy a treat too. The key is balance.  Which leads to my next goal. 

2. Learn to cook more than just chicken and potatoes. Seriously, I can't survive  on chicken and potatoes forever.

3. Learn to run. I've wanted to do this forever, and I figure if not now, when? This will probably be my toughest goal, but it's the one I'm most excited about too. 

Most of these goals are in the general direction of getting fit and hopefully staying that way once school starts. I love myself, and I know my husband loves me, but I want to feel good every day no matter what. I want people to look at me and think: She works for what she has. I also, someday, want to be able to feel good doing cosplay because I think that would be badass. Despite all of this, my last goals are totally unrelated and mostly for fun. I'm very excited about them:

4. Learn to take photographs. I'm not saying  going to be a great photographer, but I have a pretty nice camera and I want to learn to use it and use it well.  

5. Learn to quilt, and finish at least one quilt. Hopefully the ugly duckling quilt, which is well on its way to completion. 

So, that's what the ducks and I will be up to this summer. Care to join us? Happy summering everyone!

Origin Story Sunday

I spent all weekend working on ordering, making, and packaging gifts for the July reddit gift exchanges. This month I signed up for keychains, ninjas, and.... Pirates!!! To celebrate I'm bringing Peter the Pirate out to play.



Peter is a very important rubber duck. Long ago he was captain of an all duck pirate ship, called the Rubber Roger. Peter and his crew of scurvy scallywags sailed the world in search of the dearest treasure out there. They searched high and low, near and far. They pillaged and plundered, frightened and fought. They searched endlessly to no avail.


As their treasure chests filled up, their hearts felt more and more empty. These rubber rascals didn't need more gold or jewels. They had grown tired of terrorizing towns. Peter recognized his crews dismay, and set out to make it right. What each of his rubbery mateys was a place to settle down. A place with love and warmth. A family.


So the Rubber Roger set off on its last trip. At each port, Peter found the perfect family for a crew member or two, and he would send them on their way with a little gold to live a life of luxury. Finally, no one was left but Peter. What would he do? Where would he go?

Peter sailed on, in search of a new life for himself. Occasionally he would stop to stock up on supplies. That's how I found Peter, and I knew what he really need was a new crew. Now he lives happily with his own family and he hasn't missed pirate life once.

Okay. Maybe a little. But he's still happy. Look at that face!

Summer Colds

Little Scott has caught one of those awful colds. He hasn't been adventuring because he's snuggled up at home, napping. Forgive him, he'll be back soon! Or he will be sending one of his friends to adventure.

Scouting the Grocery Wildlife

Safari Scott is scouting out the local hunting grounds. So far, nothing edible has been found.

The Rest!

After the fireworks there was a fair with lots of vendors and some big blow up rides and tons of delicious food. There was also a concert on the lawn. I didn't get a picture of those, but trust me it was awesome. Uncle Sam enjoyed sitting around with the free flags they handed out.



The fireworks started at 10 PM, with a sound track of some patriotic songs. I seriously love this part. Fireworks without music are just not as magical anymore. Uncle Sam loved the songs. Here are some of Uncle Sam's very favorite fireworks.










That's all folks! We hope you survived your Monday and that it ended well. Cheers to a good week!

A Cure for Monday Blues

You know what sucks? Going back to work after an excellent three day weekend. But don't worry, I've got something to cheer you right up! Its time to hear about Sandy's Fourth of July celebration and all the fun Uncle Sam had!

First, there was a parade.



These motor cycle cops started it out by doing lots of spins and stuff.



Then came the flag. Everyone stood up and put their hand on their hearts.



Next came the corvettes. Uncle Sam isn't sure why a whole bunch of corvettes means America but... Oh well.



After the corvettes came Miss Sandy and the two runners up. Their theme was "America to Me."



This little dude was the intro to the firemen!




Uncle Sam loved this vintvage fire truck.



The next float had a rubber duck!!!!



There were lots of "vintage" toys on this float.



Next we had some zomvbies. Uncle Sam was a little scared.



This mini eagle float screams America!



I loved the princess float.



Here is Uncle Sam's very favorite float.




Miss Draper rode in with a chicken coop.




Then we saw Captain America and Spiderman!



Ghost Busters in the parade bare always fun!



Uncle Sam loved this pirate ship float.



Who doesn't love a big old construction piece in their parade?



Cottonwood Heights had a great float as well.



And last but not least, this float had people on it really getting the crowd involved. Their can't helped!


That's it for now but more to come! Cheer up, only four days til Friday!!

Festivities

Uncle Sam has already had a long day! First thing this morning he attended the Canyon Rim Ward breakfast, which featured delicious pancakes and bacon. Then he headed out to Fantasy Con.



Fantasy Con is a lot like Comic Con but less popular... For now! As a VIP Uncle Sam got this awesome dragon. He was too scared to come out of my bag though. Too many people, not enough ducks. After leaving Fantasy Con, Uncle Sam was starving.




Nothing says America like Panda Express! (That was a joke). Now Uncle Sam is resting up for the REAL festivities.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY!!!

To celebrate Uncle Sam is traveling in style in this little clutch I made.



What's more American than burlap? We don't know. See you folks tonight!

Headed for Sandy City!

This is Uncle Sam's first Fourth of July with me and I wanted to take him to my FAVORITE firework show. Logan's fireworks are nice but they are at the football stadium so I don't usually get close. There is a pretty good show in Hyrum but they shut down their fair so early so then you are just sitting in Hyrum waiting and waiting and there's really not a "good" spot. So we problem solved and headed out to my hometown of Sandy. Here, they have a bunch of fun stuff. Uncle Sam will tell you all about it tomorrow!!!

Uncle Sam Has Aggie Pride

My favorite thing about Logan are these bulls are over town. While Uncle Sam and I were exploring downtown he insisted we stop and take this picture.

Baking for America

Uncle Sam made some "Summer Velvets" cake for the fourth of July. This box from Duncan Hines comes with a red cake mix and a blue cake mix. Add some white frosting and BOOM! America!!!! Uncle Sam was quite pleased with the results! He mixed the mixes together in the same pan to get a swirled look. Then he mixed up some buttercream frosting for added deliciousness. These cupcakes were gone in a day!




Uncle Sam definitely recommends you pick some mix up ASAP. Happy baking!

This Outfit is Uncle Sam Approved

Uncle Sam loves all things red whitq
and blue, so I'm going to dress up for him all week! Maybe all month! Uncle Sam and I love dressing up for our long days at work and adventures around town. Today we went to JoAnn Frabic and Lee's Marketplace

Good Morning

GUYS IT'S ALMOST THE FOURTH OF JULY!
Uncle Sam is so excited to celebrate with you! And what's more American than getting up early for some good old fashioned hard work? Probably nothing. Happy Monday!!

When the Sun Goes Down

We built a bonfire to roast s'mores. That's what summer is all about, right? This little duck, Martha, loved the fire! She almost got a little bit too close.

Finished!

After hours of hard work and frantically searching for a puzzle piece, Emery has finished her puzzle! Don't those cupcakes look delicious?!?! Emery is going to bake some of them and let you know. Happy Tuesday everyone!

Cupcakes and Puzzles

Emery the Elephant is hard at work on this delicious puzzle. 1,000 pieces of everyone's favorite treat: cupcakes! Can she solve it before Sunday ends? Its looking unlikely, but Emery is not a quitter!

Swimming!

This is the first time we have gone swimming at the pool at our new apartment. Beach Ball Bill really enjoyed soaking up the sun. Poolside tanning is best tanning. Especially when the water is too cold!

Successful Shopping

Frank is all ready to cook dinner! Pulled pork sandwiches with homemade mac and cheese and a side of salad. It was basically the greatest dinner in a long time. Frank has committed to cooking at home more often.

SUNSHINE

The sun has finally come out to play. Frank could not be more excited to be invited to the party. Summer is back with warm weather and blue skies and with it, summer ducks!

I Mustache You To Forgive Me

Well folks, I am working at a job where I can't legally take pictures so it has been hard to post. Also, two packages of rubber ducks have gone missing! So I don't know whats up with that. I hope you all are having safe and exciting summers! Check back soon and I will hopefully have some more posts.

Lots of Love,
Jamie