July has been a good month (and I've got the pictures to prove it)

I've been meaning to post for a while now, but I just haven't given myself sufficient time to do so, and that's that...

This is what I've been up to in the meantime:

I did a wellness challenge with some friends, and I survived.
I even lost a few pounds during those four weeks.
Then I fell off the wagon and I refuse to weigh myself.
Time to get back on the wagon...

I saw some gorgeous skies here in Idaho Falls...
This happened outside Edwards Theater after watching Maleficent with Jeanna a few weeks ago.

This was on my way to walking with Jeanna one morning...

I honestly can't name where this was taken...

I watched the IF Independence Day parade. Obviously the kilted fellas were my favorite part.

I met up with Brooker for a bit on the 4th.

I went to Grand Teton National Park (GTNP) with Jeanna while the rest of our friends were at Glacier...

We hiked by Jenny Lake. This here picture was taken at Inspiration Point.

Jeanna and me.

SWOON! I am right?!

I went boating at Blacktail with Jami and JR (and lots of other people I don't know).

Another sky full of beautiful clouds.

Julie turned two, if you can believe it...

I've purchased myself bouquets of flowers every two weeks or so, just for funsies.

I floated the river at Lava...

...with Cameron and Brooker (and Allyson & Brooke & Blair et al).

Drove to Blacktail again, but the weather was foul so we headed back to town.

Had a lovely walk around the Greenbelt with mah ladies.

...and saw another lovely sunset here in Ideeho

I drove to Utah for a couple of days because I missed my family

Took a lovely walk in Brigham with my folkses

Made some silly faces with Marshall

And Kaylee

Shared a lemonade Slurpee with my main squeeze, Derek

Snuggled up with Aubree for as long as she'd let me. (Her daddy is lovin' her in this pic)

My folks and I washed a few cars with the help of these little muffins.
After washing and before waxing, we took a Backyardigans dance break. Obviously.

I went to West Yellowstone with these lovelies to watch Les Mis.
(It was an amazing show, and the singing was absolutely gorgeous. I may have cried. A few times.)
Back: Tracie & Brooke
Front: Taletha & me & Jeanna

This was taken somewhere in Idaho Falls, but I can't recall where, exactly...

More lovely clouds after a walk in the park with Jeanna

Stolen raspberries, from Mama Cutler's garden

A s'more with a swipe of peanut butter. AMAZING! If you haven't tried it yet, do it soon!

MORE FLOWERS

Another evening walk around the Greenbelt

Aaaand another (daytime) walk at the Greenbelt. I think we must like it there...

   

Yep. July is a lovely month. So, so lovely.

PS Happy birthday to Brookie today!!

how the NBA draft looks through my eyes...

I know, I know, the NBA draft happened nearly two weeks ago. (Is that right? Was it two weeks ago, or three?)

I don't typically watch the NBA draft. Or any draft, for that matter. But I was in Utah on the evening of the draft, and some of my brothers (and their families) got together for a party of sorts. Mostly, I went for the food.

And the babies. 

I care about the Utah Jazz more than I care about any other professional sports team...but I couldn't name three current players. Or the current coach. (I do know that Jerry Sloan is gone, which is quite sad.) 

So. I don't know much about sports (much to the chagrin of my sports-head brothers and father). 

But if you put a bunch of my nieces and nephews in the same room as a sports draft, I can deal with enjoy it quite a lot. 

Because, guys:

Jane and I like each other. A lot.

Aubree is so darling in all her pudgery, hey?

Derek makes me swoon. Is it his gigantic eyes, do you think?

Julie had some fun on the swing set...

Blurry, I know, but I love my Kaylee J.

Marshall and Seth were there, too, but they were busy doing their own thing and I didn't get any pictures.

Anyway. That's it. My version of the NBA draft was pretty awesome because children.

Little Miss Aubree

Good grief, I just tried writing an actual post about what's been going on in my life over the course of the past two weeks, and it. was. boring. Absolutely nothing in my personal life is really blog-worthy. I mean, boring enough that I haven't even taken many pictures on my iPhone.

BUT! If I look away from myself, toward my family, there's something completely fantastic. Absolutely noteworthy.

In the wee small hours of the morning of May 2, a new little member of the O-clan came to earth, and she is sweet!

Her name is Aubree Janel, and I can't stop staring at this picture.

 I can't go to Utah to meet her for a couple more weeks, and it's nearly killing me! Doesn't she look like 

she smells like Heaven? #swoon

Happy 10th, Jackson! (and a few other things)

I became an aunt for the first time ten years ago today.

That means JACKSON IS TEN YEARS OLD!

He started out skinny, but filled out into this lovable squish in just a few months...

...and now suddenly he's a big kid!

Now, a loving message to all my nieces and nephews: STOP GROWING! You're all getting too grown up too fast, and it's absurd.

And now: stuff I've been up to in the past two weeks:

My driver's side door handle was replaced. With a black handle. Klassy.

I went to Utah the first weekend in April. Gosh, I love my hometown...

I swooned a time or two on the drive home...

Gorgeous fatty cloud.

I mean, really. #swoon

I got to spend some quality time with him

...and her

...and him

Marshall and Kaylee took me on a hike near their house.

Marshall found a slug on a stick on our hike.

And this here tire swing was our final destination.

Golly, she's cute.

Derek relaxed in the stroller.

I got to play with my boys Seth and Emmett (and Jackson, too!)

And I made some salsa cream cheese bread.

 I also spent some quality time with my girls Jane and Julie, but...I didn't take any pictures (shame on me!). 

I hope all is well for all y'all. Oh, and Happy Tax Day!