Randomness on a Thursday

I hope that you are okay with the direction the blog is going in these days. I want to get back to the original reason I started blogging. I want to record more of our lives, specifically more of Harper's life. This is why there have been a lot of Harperish posts lately. Everyday with her is an adventure- a delightful/magical/sometime- frustrating-but-always wonderful-adventure and I find that this blog is the best way for me to keep track of it.

Good heavens, I love that girl.

Anyway, I wanted to do a bit of a catch-up post and fill you in on what, besides Harper cuteness, has been going on at the Adams house. We don't have bath time shark visits or anything (did you see that video yesterday? Seriously cute wasn't it?) but we have been quite busy lately... 

We put an offer on a house in Sandy. It was accepted. Our loan was approved yesterday. We close on April 12th. We will start cleaning/moving the next day and I'm super excited. We are buying a darling red brick rambler (circa 1960) and I love it. The location is probably my favorite thing about the house. It's not even 5 minutes from all of my favorite places (Fashion Place Mall, Super Target, Chipotle, Jimmy John's, and my in-law's), which is going to be amazing after living in Herriman (aka "the middle of nowhere") for two years. I'm also excited to be close to all of my best SLC spots (Liberty Park, Library Square, boutiques, the zoo, etc.)

Colty is working and getting ready for softball/golf season. He's also been shooting his new gun a lot and planning all sorts of hunting/fishing adventures. I'm sure that you could search the world over and not find someone with as many hobbies as Colt. 

Hazel is adorable and she loves the warmer weather. In a moment of impulse, I shaved her myself and as usual, I did a terrible job. She looks a bit like a homeless shih tzu right now but to me, she is still the cutest little dog ever. Once we get moved, I'll get her in to see a real dog groomer. Hopefully Petco can fix my hack job. 

Tucker is Tucker. He doesn't know it but his life is about to change drastically (hello fenced yard). He's going to love being outside all day. I'm really excited for him. 

I've been cleaning and organizing and shopping (another plus of getting a new house is new furniture) like crazy. Moving day can't come soon enough for me. I'm also in the midst of planning Calli's bridal shower and bachelorette party (both of which are going to be AWESOME). 

When I have downtime (usually at night when everyone else is sleeping), I've been re-watching The Tudors (a total obsession) and doing some non-fiction reading (photography, mostly, along with some inspirational stuff).

I'm still obsessed with braids and am thinking of joining the colored (and possibly floral) pants train. I just haven't decided if someone as short as me should be wearing bright denim (it seems sort of counterproductive to my efforts to look like I have longer legs). I've ignored my closet a bit lately because we have been so focused on the house but I'm planning on doing some wardrobe updating this weekend. I haven't bit my nails in almost a month (go ahead and send me a gold star), I said goodbye to my ombre, and I've been eating ungodly amounts of cous cous (blaming that on pre-move jitters). 

Oh and Harper and I have been working on our silly faces.

What is new with you?

Harper the Storyteller

Harper is having quite an eventful week. Last night she saw a monster and it said "rawr" to her. It was scary and she told it to "go way."

Then this morning during her bath, a big shark bit her on the eye. She bit it back and told it to "go way."

Early Easter

My parents have been in town this week and Harper has been in complete heaven. They won't be visiting again until after we move and so they gave Harper her Easter (or as she calls it, "Eas") treats early. She is now the proud owner of two Barbie Mermaid dolls (how many mermaids can one household have? I think we are- unintentionally- trying to set the record around here) and a new bike.

Harper loves her bike but is still a bit shy about riding it in front of us. She is also frustrated because her mermaids (and a bunch of other random junk that she likes at the moment) keep falling off of it. We need to get her a basket. Do you know if they make baskets for these little big wheels?

Fancy Pants

Last Friday, Harper received a special package in the mail. Lorraine, a long time friend of my mother's and the director of Miss Nebo (remember how I told you I was going to be working with a local pageant?) sent Harps two darling tutu dresses. Harper was delighted with them and had to put one on right away and has been alternating between the two ever since.

The other dress is just like this but pink. Harper loves both of them but prefers the blue one. Can you guess why? (Hint: it reminds her of a certain favorite mermaid...)

At this point, there is no denying that Harper is a girly girl. I didn't push her to be this way (I make a point of not choosing Harper's likes/dislikes/fears/favorites for her) but I love it nonetheless. I'm on the girly side (just a bit, you know) myself and am tickled pink at Harper's love of everything that is frilly/pretty/pink/purple/fancy/poofy/princessy, even when she insists on stumbling around the house in my favorite Steve Madden cobalt heels. 

The Hunger Games! ! !

So... we saw The Hunger Games last Friday night. I loved it (loved it times a million) and already want to see it again. I have a huge crush on Jennifer Lawrence and felt like she was amazing in this roll. I know everyone is all about Gale/Peeta hotness. I'm not. I'm all about the Katniss hotness. Jennifer Lawrence is really powerful and so naturally beautiful and was just the perfect choice for Katniss.  I get chills every time I see the scene where she volunteers as tribute. I also love Lenny Kravitz as Cinna. Cinna is my favorite character and I'm still not over his death (like with Sirius and Hedwig, it's going to take time).

Anyway, we went to a private showing (an event to raise money/awareness for autism), complete with swag bags and prizes (I didn't win anything but Colty got lucky and came home with an aluminum water bottle... ha ha). It was really fun and I was glad to see it with my favorites  (Colty and my sisters-in-law). Harper stayed home with a babysitter and had the time of her life. When we walked in at 11:30, she was going strong, doing somersaults off the sofa and screaming at the top of her lungs. Our little sitter was perfect for her and she is now the only reason I'm sad to be moving to a new neighborhood (have I told you yet that we are moving to Sandy? I'm so excited!).

I wore a braid, of course.

Kenz and I made t-shirts.

I didn't follow directions so mine didn't work (I'll never be a DIYer).

It was supposed to say, "STAY ALIVE."

Don't be jeal of my chap stick swag.

I actually gave my bag to our sitter (also a HG fan).

She was really excited about it.

Sunnies from my swag bag.

They are much cuter on Harper than they are on me.

(See the last pic in this post.)

I told you so.

Hogle Zoo: Our First Visit of the Year

I love Hogle Zoo and think that our membership is some of the best money we spend. Yesterday we went for the first time this year. The weather was amazing and all of the animals were up and about. It was the perfect zoo day. Harper, who now old enough to actually appreciate the animals, had so much fun. It's nice to take her now that she is a bit older. Last year, the zoo was all about running around. This year, it's about seeing/talking about the animals. She stays close to us now, holding our hands and even occasionally riding in her stroller (last year, we chased her all over the zoo). As usual, she talked us into riding both the carousel (twice!) and the train.

Our zoo pass allows us to take two guests with us each time we visit. If you'd like to join us sometime this year, drop me an e-mail and we will set something up (hint hint Misty). There are several members-only days throughout the year and they are really great, too. Hogle zoo is even more amazing when it's not busy.

 Harper gets super excited every time she sees the "wound."

Isn't baby Zuri the cutest thing ever?

Watching her grow over the past few years has been a delight.

(She is just two months older than Harper.)

Pinterest: Extreme Cuteness

I know that between Harper and Hazelnut, you get your fill of cuteness on this blog. Still, I can't help but share with you some of the pins from me "Extreme Cuteness" album. I'm a sucker for cute stuff and can never resist kitties, puppies, VW vans, macaroons, panda cubs, and everything else that is either 1. a baby animal, 2. as cute as it tastes or 3. as cute as it is old.

Love love love.

This is also Hazlenut's first world pet problem.

Cuuuuuuteness.

Macaroons are trendy, I know. I love them still.

I'm just such a cookie person.

A Tzu-Wok? Kill me.

When the time is right, we will add a baby "Zowie" to our family.

Zowie is Colt's family dog.
She's a black and white shih tzu and she's an old lady and I love her.

Meet her here.

He was hungry. Now he's sleepy.

He must have eaten the dog food equivalent of Cafe Rio.

Is it just me or does anyone else get super sleepy after Cafe Rio?

I need one of these.

Seriously, I'm going to be a crazy dog lady, even if my family 

nominates me for an episode of Animal Hoarders.

And... I die.

This panda is so cute- like Harper Jane cute- and I just want to snuggle him.

Hellllo Friday

Happy Friday!

We are going to see The Hunger Games tonight and I can barely wait.

Harper, for the first time, is staying home with a babysitter.

I'm excited for her because I know she's going to have so much fun.

We don't have any other definite weekend plans but I'm hoping for a lot of outside/park time.

What about you? Any exciting weekend adventures?

Harper Moments, Part 3

Here Mama:
(March 20, 2012)
On Tuesday, Harper brought me a drawing (a masterpiece, if you ask me) and said, "Here mama. I made this for you." That was the first time she's given me a present all on her own and I almost died right then and there because her little voice was just so cute. I'll be keeping this little treasure forever.

In the Store:

(March 2010)

We were in line at the grocery store a couple of weeks ago. I was just getting ready to pay and Harper was playing around in my purse. She pulled a tampon out and said (in a very loud voice, mind you), "Here mama. Here's your medicine!" 

Gee, Harper. Thanks. 

(By the way, we don't know why she thinks tampons are medicine. Silly girl.)

Poots:

Harper is quite obsessed with poop lately (tmi? Sorry). Almost daily, she gives me a list of who poops (only she says is "poots), "Tucker poots. Hazel poots. Zowie poots. Chloe poots. Harper poots..." and it goes on and on. She goes through all of her doggie friends, her daycare friends, and family members  and in her sweet Harper voice, even poop talk is cute. She has even been known to tell strangers about who "poots." Luckily, only the people that know her really understand her right now and so random people at the store have no idea what she's saying. 

Mama's Crown:

(January/February 2012)

My mom recently informed Harper that I have a crown and now my little one is obsessed with looking at  my Miss Payson and Miss Utah photos. On a daily basis, she asks me to wear my crown (which I never do, I promise) and she is always trying to convince me to wear the "princess dresses" that are hanging in my closet. If Harper had her way, I'd vacuum in a dress, a crown, and platform heels. 

The Beauty Aisle: March Dryness

March is my skin's worst month. This indecisive weather always dries me out. My lips, face, skin, and even hair are all dry this time of year.

Does anyone else experience this? If so, how do you deal with it?

To combat the excessive dryness, I try to exfoliate often (a sugar scrub twice a week or so) and use super moisturizing products. When my skin is like this, I use baby oil on top of my regular lotion (which is, as always, Nivea Skin Firming Moisturizer) and go for an extra rich night cream. Right now, I'm loving Yes To Carrots Nourishing Night Cream (and I'm giving one away... keep reading for details).

I've been treating my dry hair with olive oil (a 20 minute soak before each wash) and deep conditioner (It's a 10 Miracle Hair Mask). 

For my lips, I'm using this Sugar Rose Lip Balm. It came in my March Birchbox and I'm obsessed with it. It makes my lips soft and adds just enough tint for daytime with the kiddos. (By the way, if you want to become a Birchbox subscriber, let me know and I'll send you a referral!). 

Now, about the giveaway...

One winner will receive a Yes To Carrots Nourishing Night Cream.

To enter the giveaway, you must be a follower.

Leave a comment below telling me about your favorite moisturizing product.

Blog, tweet, or facebook about the giveaway for extra entries.

As always, leave a separate comment for each entry.

The giveaway ends Friday at noon.

Much love!

Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies- Too Cute for Words

Colt recently met up with the owner of one of Tucker's sisters. He lives in the valley so hopefully Tucker and Zuri (cute, right?) will be able to play often. He recently sent Colt this picture of Tucker and his siblings when they were just babies.

Can you spot Tucker? He's in the front (the middle one on the red blanket). We knew it was him because he's chewing on the blanket (Tucker has eaten what must be a record-setting amount of blankets since he joined our family).

Ridgeback puppies are adorable, but they are a handful. Nobody without ample time and patience for training should consider purchasing a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Tucker is nearly two and is just barely becoming a good dog, even with months of private dog training. He has also been an expensive pet. I know that all pets cost money but Tucker has been especially expensive. Training, training supplies, beds, kennels, vet bills (vaccinations, check ups, and neutering), food, treats, repairs (he has managed to eat a doorframe, the carpet, and two night stands), and other various supplies have really added up. I won't give you an exact number but so far, we have put thousands of dollars into Tucker. 

Don't think he isn't worth it, though. He is. We love him and when we take him to the dog park and he runs around all happy and crazy-like, it makes us happy, too.

Now that Tucker has matured a bit, he is quite pleasant and a really obedient dog. He loves us (Colt is his special favorite) and can't get enough attention or cuddles. Hazel is still a bit nervous around him but we are working with them together and I hope that within a month or two, they will be a good pair. 

If you are interested in a Rhodesian Ridgeback, don't hesitate to e-mail me. Colt and I are more than happy to let anyone meet Tucker and we are always willing to answer questions or put people in touch with our breeder or our trainer.