"Two Old"

With a new age to show off,
people are always asking miss Polka Dot
just how old she is now.

Her reply:
"Two old."

The "years" part never seems to make it into her answer.

I love it.
Every time she says it
I just smile and think,
yes,
my dear,
you are getting TOO old.

3 Years

And look at all we have accomplished!

I love this man
and all that we have together.

Happy Anniversary, Marty!

FAT.

My brother Nathan is good at many things.

One thing he is particularly good at is introducing me to new information that makes me stop and think--a good quality in a brother.

Well, when we saw him a few weeks ago,
he had a new documentary for me to see:
Fat Head.
Once again, I started questioning food and food theory.
I love being thrown off balance like this!

I agree with MANY but not ALL of the points made in this documentary.
I was happy to see someone so vocal about the truth that
eating fat does not make you fat.
In fact, we could all probably stand to eat more fat
(and less carbs, even if they are whole wheat).

I was also recently introduced to the Weston A. Price foundation, another new information source that makes me rethink food. The head of the foundation is actually in the documentary, and I thought it interesting to see all these new ideas connect.

I probably spend way too much time worrying about food, but I am just so darn interested in how it can effect our bodies. I am especially interested in making sure that I am giving the best fuel possible to our little ones. In the end, we will never subscribe to one way of thinking or another; moderation is certainly what we have found to be the best policy. However, I am grateful for new information to reinforce or help me tweak my own food theory.

Now,
if you'll excuse me,
I'm going to go drink a glass of raw whole milk,
eat a handful of nuts,
and pull some more butter out of the freezer to cook with later.
And it is going to make me feel great:)

Lovely love my family

A tradition has started. All able Heaps family siblings, Parents, and Co., have started gathering in PA at Eva's house for general conference. It pretty much rocks. We hear the words of our Prophet, AND we have so much fun we almost pee our pants laughing. What a combo!

The weekend in snapshots:

breakfast with a Goose.

meeting baby Sienna--oh, how I miss those tiny months!

we're pretty good at making girls in this family.
One day, Isaiah, you won't have to be the only boy cousin.

cool Dot and the Pinkettes.

der grownups.

Yahoo for 18 people under one roof!
I love this family of mine!

Today my heart is grateful...

To live here:

We had a wonderful trip to Eva's house for conference.
We loved seeing so much family at once
and being filled spiritually at the same time.

But, oh, this sure is home, sweet home.

My girl wants to party all the time!

WHAT a weekend we had! Who knew a two-year-old's birthday and accompanying parties could be so darn FUN?

Dorothy started her special day in her birthday outfit request:

She eventually swapped out the pink hat for the birthday crown we made,
and I was able to convince her to wear some more sensible shoes.

I wish that I could take credit for the beautiful weather we had.
The day was a birthday present in itself!
We took full advantage and spent hours outside
walking, talking to the animals, playing on the swings, and poking around the garden.

About three weeks before her birthday,
Dorothy started to request a "choo choo" cake.
I had no idea she was even interested in trains!
I had already made plans to do flower cupcakes for her big party,
but some toothpicks, popsicle sticks, and store bought Thomas later,
we had a train cake that made her eyes light up.
We love easy.

Dorothy has always been pretty dainty with her food,
so when Goose dug in and started getting cake everywhere
(and enjoying it!)
we thought it was great.
I can't wait to see what she does with her bowl of birthday pudding.

Since ALL her Vieira aunts, uncles, and cousins were in town,
we did a BIG ole' birthday bash in her honor.
Here she is with her grandma-made daisy pillow.

This talking, singing, pink and purple picnic basket from "Auntie" Mary
was THE toy of the evening.
All little hands were grabbing for the cups, food, forks, and trying to push buttons.

I wish we had a video for this one.
This is Dot cutting a rug in her new birthday dress and shoes.
I'm sure there will be many more birthday dance parties in her future.

And my favorite,
birthday giggles with papa:

This little girl of ours sure knows how to have a good time.
We are grateful for her infectious smile and laughter,
her love of the color pink and all things girly,
her stubborn but sweet personality,
and for how complete she makes our family feel.

Until next year,
Happy Birthday, my Polka Dot!

You know THAT outfit?

That outfit that has to be washed every week because you wore it again; the one that is a color that looks great on you; the one that just makes you feel pretty, oh, so pretty:)

Well, THIS is the ONE for Dot:

Even when I hide this skirt and shirt set at the bottom of the drawer,
she finds it.

But, what can I say? She is my daughter after all.
(we're not shy about color or patterns in this family)
I hope she always stays a free spirit.