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.

July 5?

Seth and I went to our 20 week ultrasound yesterday. Everything looked perfect except for the due date. The doctor said Quinn was measuring much bigger than our July 15th due date. I know it's only 10 days, but that seems so much sooner to us. My stomach has seemed a little large. He is moving like crazy.
I love being pregnant. I am not one of those women who can't wait until it is over. I am so excited to meet my son though, so I was a little excited. Seth looked a little scared. Quinn will probably be our last child, so I can't wait to see our whole little family together.
The other exciting part about this news is that my sister-in-law is due June 25. It is her first, so she could go over. We are going to have these babies so close together. I just pray that I will still be pregnant when she goes into labor because I really want to be her nurse.
So whenever you decide to make your debut Mr. Quinn Dunlop, (please wait until you are 37+ weeks) we are all so anxious to meet you.
Your sister looks at your pictures and says "oh baby". We love you with all our hearts.
I hope Farley, Bucket and Honey are taking care of you and filling you in on the family.
We are going to have a great time together.
Love you sweetheart!

The state of the Dunlops

A work friend of mine told me the other day that she uses her blog like a journal. She makes books periodically, and so in time she will have lots of information to look back on and remember her family.
So I am going to try and copy her idea.
Piper is 2 years and 4 months. Quinn is about 19 weeks old. Seth has 10 more months of school and will have his BS. I work 24 hours per week. This is totally manageable, and actually quite enjoyable.
We are trying to sell our house. Hopefully this will happen by July 14. (Quinn's due date)
My dog of 13 years (Farley) died 2 days ago. I am devastated. Piper called for him today. I am hoping the pain will go away some time. I can't stop missing him. Our house feels oddly empty. This is the first time in my life that I have never had a dog. Farley was my baby. He still is.
Erin and Patrick are preparing to become parents. All is healthy and happy with these developing boys. June 25 and July 14 can't come soon enough.
Sascha and I are planning Erin's baby shower. (May 21) It is to be the social event of the year. JK. I can't wait for this Spring Saturday filled with baby everything.
I love Seth more and more everyday. I think when I am pregnant I feel particularly vulnerable. I feel so clingy to him. I can't wait for him to come home from work. He is my protector. He is a totally dedicated father. He works full time and fathers and husbands full time. We are the luckiest girls in the world.
I still can't believe that we have a little girl and a little boy. I still feel like we are teenagers making out in his land cruiser.
This winter has been very hard. Having a toddler cooped up in the house is not easy. Piper goes to music class and swimming each week. That is no replacement for the playground though.
It's hard for me to believe that she will be in preschool this fall. I am going to have major problems with letting her go.
Life goes by too fast. This is why I am a firm believer that you have to live out every stage of your life to the fullest. Embrace whatever it is that you are doing because before you know it you will be doing something different.
I worry about money, this pregnancy, finding a home in our budget that will accommodate us, losing my parents, and if I am a good enough mother and wife. I know that if these are my main worries I am so incredibly lucky.
I have never felt more purpose, happiness and love than I do now.

Allison's Amazing Chocolate Cake

Everything my friend makes is incredible. She is a great cook. This chocolate cake might just be the best I have ever had. So here you go.

-2 cups flour
-1/2 cup cocoa powder (I love the special dark, but if doesn't have to be. Sometimes it's hard to find)
-2 tsp. baking soda
-1 tsp. salt
-2 tsp vanilla
-1/2 cup butter (1 stick)
-2 cups sugar
-2 cups boiling water
-2 eggs

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees. Sift together flour, cocoa, soda and salt. Cream together butter, vanilla and sugar. Add boiling water, blend, then add eggs and mix until well blended. Gradually add dry ingredients and mix well. Pour into an ungreased 9x13 pan or two rounds to stack. Bake for 30 min.
I love the two rounds method. I trace the bottom of the rounds on wax paper and cute them out and place wax paper in the bottom of the rounds. After baking this makes them pop out so easily when turned upside down. Peel off the paper when the cakes are slightly cooled.

Frosting: This recipe comes from the Favorites cookbook. This is written by two Utah women. If you don't have it you need one. It is so great.
I love cream cheese frosting, and have tried several different versions. This is the best.

-1 8 oz. brick of cream cheese (leave out to slightly soften)
-1 stick of butter (leave out to slightly soften)
-2 tsp vanilla
-2 cups of powdered sugar (the recipe actually calls for 2 1/2 cups. I think this makes it too sweet.)
Cream together the cream cheese, butter, and vanilla. Add the sugar a half cup at a time. Taste as you go and stop when you reach your desired sweetness.

Lay down one round. Frost. Then stack the last one and frost the entire cake.

Enjoy!