A birthday bike ride

Whenever I drive up Emigration Canyon now and see people biking it I am going to have a lot more respect for them. It was not easy. Fun, but hard.

This is our cute friend Scott Alder.

I am afraid this is our children's fate. Dragging them out of bed for early Saturday morning bike rides.

Last October 13 my sister-in-law's brother, Ben Jacobsen, died of cancer. I have known the Jacobesen family pretty much my whole life. Most of them have bright red hair, and are an amazing family. If you have lived in Salt Lake for a period of time, you most likely know this family. They are a kind wonderful family. This was a horrible tragedy. He was just a couple of years older than I. He left behind a beautiful wife and three children. He was an avid bike rider. So this morning to celebrate his birthday his friends and family organized a bike ride up Emigration Canyon. This was one of his favorite rides. Most of the riders were serious riders, and then there was a handful of us that were not so serious. We made it from Hogle Zoo to Ruth's Diner. Seth rode with Piper on the front of his single speed bike. Seth honestly could have made it to the top no problem, but he was a gentleman and waited for Quinn and I.

So thank you Ben for being the reason that we all got together and rode our bikes up the canyon this morning. It was beautiful.
You are deeply missed.

Be careful when you come to our house for dinner

Sunday morning breakfast guests. Piper loves Muno and Brobee more than anything. She tells them how much she loves them.

And I love Patrick, Erin and Ronan. Not quite sure what we would do without them. Piper asks for them every day. I worry they might change their phone numbers on us. I am completely serious when I say I don't know how Seth and I could have a family without their help. I only hope they will let us do the same for them when Ronan is born.

Patrick, Erin and Ronan came over for dinner the other night. For dessert they got a naked toddler on their shoulders. I so was hoping she would pee on my brothers handsome sweater, but no such luck.

Life is amazing when you get to spend your days with Piper

Every morning we eat breakfast together and talk. I can't imagine a better way to start the day.

Piper's art work is truly amazing. She spends so much time drawing. It's filled with detail.

Papa and daddy built a swing last summer in the backyard. We can't wait for the warm weather any longer.
Every day I fall more and more in love with this little girl.
Do you ever feel like your head will explode because you love someone or something so much.

Preschool

Three days ago Piper got 2 acceptance letters to preschools. OK this just sounds ridiculous, but secretly exciting. I guess the world is just overpopulated enough that this is the state we are in. The U of U and Wasatch Presbyterian Preschools accepted her into their programs.

In the end we felt the U was more fitting. Their director seems great. You also have the opportunity to co-op. They have observation booths where you can go and observe the class and the students don't know you are there. I absolutely love the idea of Piper's first educational experience taking place in a university.

I have such a love for the University of Utah. I loved college. My grandparents paid for my first four years of school and my mom paid for my nursing school. I can't imagine a better gift to give someone. Seth and I set aside money every month for Piper's college fund. Education is a gift that will set you free and give you a life of freedom and opportunity. Does preschool have anything to do with her educational experience and success later in life. Probably not. Who knows though. It just feels like an amazing start to an exciting journey.