Irresponsible or Irresistable?

We had so much fun last night. Joseph took me on an unexpected date night during which we had dinner at Tepanyaki, did some shopping at old navy, and then went to see Michael Buble. I loved it! His voice is just so rich and so powerful that it resonated everywhere. And his songs are either old classics or popular new ones--all of which are so easy to sing along to and super easy on the ears. I guess MB is pretty easy on the eyes too :) He seems like such a normal, regular guy who happens to be an amazing singer and one witty, charming performer.

My favorite songs of his are "Home" and "Everything" both of which he sang last night. But in the packed theater of 6,000 fans cheering him on, I also loved "Save the Last Dance," "Feelin' Good," and "New Day." Actually, all of his songs were incredible--he was right on with every note and every key change (plus, he hit the low notes well while pulling out tons of sassy moves and facial expressions--too fun!) Heidi captured the essence of his performance perfectly in her review of his show in Reno last week (which is quoted on MB's website right now--awesome!!)

I think I fell in love with Michael Buble's music because my husband sings his songs around me so often. Last fall, Joseph had MB's self-titled album playing in his car for several days in a row. He'd come home from work, pick up his tiny, adoring fans (namely Cares and Beans) and dance around with them singing "Moondance" or "Come Fly Away." They'd squeal with laughter wearing huge smiles on their faces, and I got to relish in the sound of Joe's amazing voice, mixed with delightful laughs and coos, filling our home. He also sang "Fever" to Caroline during some of her fussy evenings as a newborn--funny song for a lullaby but when Joseph sang it slowly, the rich melody sounded very soothing. His singing almost always calmed her down and she'd just stare up at him as he sang and rocked her. I love music that can do that!

check out my live shots of Michael--I have some video too but I'm not sure how to post it. Plus, it's just not the same to see him move without his music to back it up!

Cool Canyon

I think we drove for 20 minutes last night. A mere 20 minute drive up Big Cottonwood Canyon and we had relief. I honestly think it was 30 degrees cooler up there and it felt amazing. Joe and I spent the evening hanging out with all the SLC LeBaron siblings. We set-up camp chairs near the river at the Donut Falls trail-head and sat down for Cafe Rio dinner in the gorgeous mountain air. Around 8:30, we were all a little too chilled to stay put and we drove back to the heat of the city. After the heat of the day today, I am eager to head into the mountains again. But next time, I'll bring a warmer sweatshirt, wear pants instead of shorts, and bring my tiny munchkins along so they can throw rocks into the river and splash in the water.

Great Gift

I have been meaning to post a picture of Caroline in this adorable shirt for quite a while. Today I am finally getting around to it! Aunt Luci made the smocked shirt and the matching doll for Cares' birthday in May. Cousins Sisi and Tillie have similar tops and dolls so next time I need a photo of all 3 of them while they're matching. Thanks again Luci!

Dust and Mud, Spurs and a Latigo

Garth Brooks' song "Rodeo" (quoted in this entry's title) has always perfectly defined the event. I think I have been to the Oakley Rodeo at least a dozen times and I will keep going whenever I get the chance (last year I had a 6 week old baby so I didn't quite hit the stadium with the rest of the fam). Here are the staples (for good and bad :) which make the Oakley event a yearly classic:

1) driving down windy Weber Canyon in the cool mountain air 2) walking through horse manuer on the way to the stadium (or trying to avoid it :) 3) noticing the rodeo queens' amazingly bright and sparkly clothes and perfectly coiffed hair (does it even move as they ride around on their horses?) 4) Stetsons, Wranglers and Justins everywhere you look (not to be called by their generic names i.e cowboy hats, skin-tight jeans, and __kickers) 5) watching with a rush of adrenaline when a cowboy tries to hang on to a buckin' bronco or beastly bull 6) the clapping hands and wild smile of little kids as they watch and cheer in earnest 7) listening to, and even laughing at, the rodeo clown's jokes--they are just too classic (and usually crude--a dynamite duo!) 8) watching the fireworks boom overhead and feeling silly but patriotic for tearing up during the accompaniment (especially if they play "Proud to be an American")

We slept up at the cabin after the rodeo last night and Joe and I taught mom, dad, Cec and Marsh how to play a new game called "hot dice." (I thought it was way fun but maybe that has something to do with me winning??) This morning we fixed ourselves some delicious peach french toast and then spent a few more hours at the cabin cleaning up, packing up, reading, wrangling our own little cowboy Beans and cowgirl Maddie on the buckin' horse upstairs, napping (mostly Dad amidst the chaos of 5 grandkids playing right by him!), Ski-balling, and ATVing (it could be a word...). We had one minor incident when Cares climbed onto the kids' picnic table last night, popped a goldfish in her mouth and then tumbled over and landed right on her back. She was a little banged up but the fall made her choke on the cracker and then she decidedly threw-up to dislodge the thing. Hmmm, she has now thrown up 3 times in about 2 weeks. I am not a fan but I am getting good at cleaning her up!

4th of July

I think the pictures pretty much say it all--we had a fabulous 4th eating yummy food, relaxing in the shade while Bentley taunted and teased the 3 little girls, watching fireworks, and hanging out together. Happy 4th to you all!!

Backyard Babies

This is how we beat the heat yesterday, got tons of wiggles out and watered some dead spots in our lawn:

Sun Valley

We are home. And it is so nice to be back in our own space and in our own beds. Naturally, (and to my utter dismay) my kids decided that sleep wasn't really what they wanted while we were up in Idaho. They wanted to play hard, eat tons of yummy snacks and run around outside--always with a slew of fun cousins in tow. We actually all had a great time on our family vacation and made sure we did fun, active things despite our lack of sleep. Joseph chronicled our events on our .mac page but here are a few more favorites (OK--maybe slightly more than a few :)

Eating ice cream in town where the locals just looked at our "Some Valley" shirts with confused stares. Hitting balls at the driving range at Bigwood golf course. Let's just say they (ok--we) all had a lot of fun with that name... Hiking to a waterfall deep in the Sawtooth mountains. Taking a family photo just outside Nanny and Grandpa's condo in Elkhorn Village. Cares cuddling daddy and proving why she is such a sweetheart. Hamming it up for the cameras--all 13 LeBaron grandchildren. Posing for another family pic by the red Sun Valley barn. Proud parents showing off Baby Beatrice in her blessing dress.