Birthdays BBQs and Hawaii - Oh MY!

We have been living a car insurance slogan over the last week and there simply has not been time to sit down and properly document everything. But no matter how busy life gets, one thing is constant and true -  I adore my family! My husband and girls are the best gift anyone could ever wish for and even though we have our ups and downs, as everyone does, we are livin' the good life right here, right now!

Here are just a few of the highlights from our busy, busy week!

Life Comes At You Fast!

• Ashley flew in from Georgia. Yay!
• Finally made the decision to spend my inheritance from Grandpa Robinson on a new lens for my camera. I think he would be pleased that we are constantly documenting our journey on this trip we call life.
• Memorial Day cemetery road trip on my 39th birthday- I loaded all 6 of the kiddos in the Durango and we drove to Brigham City, Logan and Smithfield to place flowers on the graves of our departed loved ones.
• A mere 6 hours later we rushed home to hold a celebratory birthday bbq at our house. Tons of fun and the food was excellent! Can I just say that I LOVE hanging out on our beautiful deck and sharing lots of laughter with family and friends?
• Monday morning - more cemetery trips. This time we went to the cemetery where Grandma and Grandpa Robinson were laid to rest. That one still hurts and probably always will. I miss them every day! The flowers were beyond beautiful though, and although the concession stands at the cemetery were a little odd, the bagpipes were a very nice touch.
• Girls were sick so we had to cut the cemetery trip short. :( We came home and chilled out, which means no one really remembers what we did. haha!
• Back to school for the girls and I on Tuesday.. bleh. We just had to get through the week!
• Tuesday was also Bill's birthday! We grilled (again) and then played Mario Kart. Good times!                                           Happy4-Oh sweetheart!
• SYTYCD!! Oh Yeah! Bring it on! We love to watch this dance series in the summer. That is good quality family time right there.
• More sniffles, coughs, aches and ickness. :(
• Have we spent enough time on our deck yet? No? How about the first brick oven pizza night of the year then? Shaweet!
• What? You want to have "Mexican Food Night" at our house tomorrow? Sounds like a good time! Margaritas anyone?
• Telestrations! If you have not played this game, we highly recommend it! Where else will you have to be able to draw and understand things such as: Whale Fly, Giant Flying Squid, Stink Death, Wheelchair Factory, Fish Murderer AND Led Zepplin? Seriously, we laughed until we were sick!
• Mario and more Mario. Summer fun is here and we are enjoying it!
• HAWAII IN FIVE DAYS!! It is going to be a tough week to endure, but by this time next week we will be chillaxin on The Big Island! I am certain that the pics and stories will make for some great blogging, so stay tuned!

CeLeBrAtE!

After the Hell On Wheels week I just wrapped up, (Last week of school and awards banquet, need I say more?) I can think of nothing better than gathering up as many of my lovelies as I can find and chillin' on the deck while Bill grills up something tasty and my little bro affectionately calls him "Stupid."

Heaven!

Actually, my little bro calls Bill something else too, but it is not fit for print. The hilarious thing is that these two really like each other. It all started when we were discussing great movies one night and Ty said to me, "I have this movie I need to bring over so you guys can watch it. It is SOOOO Stupid! Bill would LOVE it!"  I cracked up on the spot, the implication being that Bill is a stupid guy who can relate to stupid movies.  Ever since then, Bill and Ty call each other names and it never fails to entertain.

Tomorrow happens to be my birthday, and even though I generally dislike birthdays (Can't think of one that ever treated me well) I am so in the mood for a family gathering. My excuse? Two days later it is Bill's birthday and he will be the big 4-Oh! You can see a fun tribute I made for him here. So I have asked family to come over to celebrate after we spend the morning visiting cemeteries for Memorial Day. I am hoping it will be the perfect cure for my recently completed Hell Week.

Here's to hoping! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Cue Madonna's "Celebrate" and fade to black. 

Happiness In Bloom

I have said to my family that I easily could have been a Prairie Woman in my former life because if I can grow it, bake it, or take care of it, then it makes me happy.  

Ahh the simple pleasures in life!

Lately my projects are of the growing variety. It is no secret that Spring is my favorite time of year because I get to transform my brown, lifeless gardens into something splendorous. I suppose this particular joy of creation is how an artist must feel as he puts his brush to canvas. My canvas just happens to be various patches of dirt surrounding my home.

This particular patch of dirt is one of our favorites. We affectionately call it The Sitting Garden. Although the irony is that we would much rather sit on the swing across from the sitting garden in order to properly enjoy the view.

When we first moved in to our house, this patch of dirt was filled with weeds four feet high. The original owners had wanted to turn it into a pond, but one look and I knew what this area was destined for and I made it my goal to transform it into something wonderful, colorful, fragrant and serene.

Each year we add a few more perennials and a ton of annuals to create an explosion of brightly colored happiness that our entire family enjoys all summer long.  A little over a year ago, Bill added the Italian pizza oven and California bbq pit  that is now a major focal point at the garden's edge. The red rocks and Sun/Moon sculpture, and even the pergola in the background were my own ideas.

This was the end result after the girls helped me plant all the gorgeous flowers that Bill purchased and the girls helped me choose for Mother's Day. I am one lucky mom!

Even as packed as the garden looks now, it will continue to fill in as our perennials grow and bloom throughout the summer. (We are also compulsive J&J shoppers, so if we see bare dirt in our flower garden, we will buy more flowers! In fact, since this picture was taken we have already added more!)

If  only there was a way to upload fragrances to the computer,  then I could share the amazing aroma that this garden produces. It is truly a delight to the senses! The quiet observer is often treated to close up views of visiting hummingbirds and bumble bees, which is exactly why we spend so much time in our gardens.

Luckily for me, my girls have discovered a love of photography and they generously share their beautiful images with me. These are just a few of Carley's pictures which were taken on the day we planted the Sitting Garden.

This is my artist, Carley, who took the pictures on planting day. You can see more of her talent here: karmama237.blogspot.com

The Roots Run Deep

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There are just no words to describe what we are feeling, what we have been through, what we have lost. I am so proud to be their granddaughter, mother of five of their great-granddaughters. Yet nothing can change the fact that every day without them hurts.
Sunday we gathered for a family memorial service. This time I did not hesitate. I went right over to him and put my hand gently on top of his. I struggled against the tears and the choked back sobs, consciously avoiding letting my tears stain his perfect suit.

He looked restful, finally at peace. His gentle hands rested on top of the towel that was placed there so lovingly. I noticed the toothpick in his suit pocket and smiled to myself as countless memories washed over me. I easily recalled images of him smiling, with a toothpick in his mouth, at one of our many summer cookouts, sitting at the kitchen table laughing, or walking amongst his roses. He was never without a toothpick to clutch in his teeth or twirl around in his fingers.

And there was the pin.

I had never seen it before, and that glossy red pin might as well have been pinned to my heart. A symbol of his life in the railroad industry, I held my breath at the sight of it pinned to his lapel. My broken heart swelled with pride. How I love that man!

As a family we stood together and cried, paid our last respects, and occasionally we laughed as we shared memories and worked hard to hold each other up. We know he is happy, but we mourn our loss nonetheless.

Monday dawned gray, cloudy (Just like another day in August) and cold. We commented on how the snow falling on that morning was like a gift to us, as the August rain had been not so long ago. As we approached the cemetery, it became difficult to breathe. There would be no happy ending for any of us that day.

I will always remember looking up and seeing tiny angels adorning the pine boughs above the graves. The sun peeked out from behind the clouds as we began to sing quiet, tearful tributes of "Home on the Range" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad."

How is it possible for a broken heart to break over and over again?
We crowded together, possibly for the last time, in my Grandparents' house that afternoon. There was an endless amount of love, heartbreaking tears, and even some much needed laughter. I'm certain Grandma and Grandpa would have approved. Well, except for the part about all of us exploring the forbidden basement.

I walked through the house with my husband and my girls, silently saying goodbye to the structure that housed so many wonderful childhood memories. I carefully photographed the house, the walls, the windows, anything that would help me to keep those memories alive forever.

It hurts to say goodbye.


The Robinson legacy is mighty and as his memorial program so eloquently pointed out,our roots run deep. I am so grateful for the rich heritage I have been given and for the love that this family exudes. Now it is time to carefully preserve their history by writing and retelling their stories so that we will always have them near.

I will nag if I have to.

I am thankful for...

Thanksgiving is this week, and while I don't need a holiday to make me appreciate all of the blessings in my life, I am grateful that there is a holiday to celebrate all of the wonderful people in my life all at once.

So here it goes.



I Am Thankful For:

My super cute husband who kisses me tenderly each morning before he goes to work. I'm usually still sleeping but he does it anyway and I love him for that!


Being a mom to 6 wonderful, smart, talented and kind girls.

Memories of my Grandma. I miss her so much.

Twilight movies that give my mom a reason to smile and something to look forward to.

Having an older brother who is mysterious and amazing. Definitely the smartest dude I've ever known!

Having a family that believes in loving nicknames. Chacho, Chacha, KarKar, Mac, Binza, JJ, Shla, Emmers, M-bear, among others.

My children's smiles and laughter. Laughter lit up the house last night and I went to bed with a warm and happy heart.

The fact that there are no "steps" in our house. We may be a blended family, but he is their dad and she is my girl. We are not a "step family" We. Are. Family!

My little brother and how hard he has worked to be where he is at today. I am so proud of him for working through his obstacles. He is such a cute dad and my girls' favorite uncle.

Little hands that find their way into mine when we are watching movies. They're never too old to hold their mom's hand.

Hugs and kisses goodnight, and loving goodbyes in the morning as my girls head off to school.

Fantastic friends that keep in touch even after I change jobs.

New job opportunities that teach me that not all bosses are jerks.

A thoughtful husband that sweeps and mops on his day off so that I freak out a little less over the dogs in the house.

The holidays that make my children's eyes glow with excitement.. not because of gifts, but because they love sharing surprises and spending time together.

Singing Christmas songs with my girls, in the car, as the snow falls.

Seeing my husband's huge smile as he escorts his little girl to our waiting vehicle at the airport. We are so happy that she is back with us for the holiday!

Plans to decorate the "whimsical" tree before Thanksgiving so that the whole family can participate.

Finding out that there will be at least one more trip to the mountains to cut Christmas trees at the Robinson tree farm. We don't need a tree, but we need that time to create life-long memories of family and togetherness. It hurts my heart to think about how different it will be this year.. I know what we will all be thinking, but I also know that if she is able, Grandma will look down on us and smile.

"See ya, Babe." "Bye Punkin, I love you. " "I love you too."

Yuffas and all that they imply.

Blogs that give us an outlet to share our thoughts, dreams and moments. An electronic snapshot of our lives.

To my family: Thank you for giving me purpose and direction. Everything I do is for you and because of you. You are my heart and my soul.. I can only hope that I am able to give you a fraction of the love, strength and happiness that you have given me.

My Little Punkins

Fall… sweet, blissful, beautiful fall! Sometimes I think that one of the reasons I love fall so much is because you never know what weather you are going to wake up to. Other times, I can’t help but relate to the colorful leaves that seem to scream, “HEY! I’M OVER HERE! OPEN YOUR EYES AND APPRECIATE ME BEFORE I’M GONE!” Yesterday as I drove home in the 35+ mph winds, I was positively giddy over the fact that it was literally raining leaves on my Durango and I smiled as I watched a group of young children squeal with delight as they chased an eddy of leaves through the parking lot while I held up the traffic behind me so they could delight in their fall escapade safely.

*Sigh* Can it GET any better?


Last Friday we excitedly piled into the Durango to head to our favorite local farm for… PUMPKINS! As I watched my teenage girls frolic amongst the brightly colored gourds of happiness, I felt a wrenching pain in my heart. I was instantly transported through each one of the many years of pumpkin celebrations with my little girls and I wondered where the time has gone… I have pictures of my babies holding tiny pumpkins, but because they were tiny themselves, those little pumpkins looked huge! I have pictures of Emily perched happily on top of a pumpkin that had been hollowed out – too bad I couldn’t get a picture of that toddler butt from the INSIDE of the pumpkin… I bet that would have been hilarious! I can hear their sweet giggles as they grossed themselves out with the guts of the pumpkins, see them cringing as they dared each other to put pumpkin slices in their mouths, and I can see them proudly beaming over their freshly hacked creations. Oh girls, thank you… THANK YOU for the memories! I am such a lucky mother to have wonderful girls with whom I can share this great adventure we call life.










So there we were, last Friday evening, at the farm.. The sun was lower in the gloriously blue sky, the weather was perfect and my girls were having a ball! The girls would laugh and squeal over each new and even more perfect pumpkin than the last which they had just put into the little red Radio Flyer wagon.. so I simply could not refuse when they wanted “just one more.” I stood back and snapped picture after picture of the smiles, the laughter and the silliness that ensued and I could have been there all night. I was that happy! Bill joined us about 40 minutes after we had arrived at the farm… and we had already loaded our prized selections into the Durango.. So naturally we had to go back! We wanted our favorite guy to take part in the pumpkin happiness too.. And another 30 minutes and 17 pumpkins later, we headed home – reassuring each other that YES, WE ARE CRAZY!









Right about now you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Geez Nicole! 17 pumpkins… REALLY?”

Yes. Really. And let me tell you why…

When my girls were little and would have bad dreams, they would come into my room at night, tears streaked on their little cheeks, and they would crawl into bed with me. We’d sleep snuggled up for the remainder of the night. I remember a few years ago when I realized that they no longer do that.. I felt like I had been smacked in the face and I thought, “Hey wait a minute! When exactly was the last nightmare incident that had one of my Snuggle Bugs end up in my bed?” And as long as I am asking ridiculous, rhetorical questions, WHY didn’t someone tell me it would be the last time so I could fully appreciate it, and get the full benefit of The Very Last Nightmare Snuggle?

The very same scenario played out for the neighborhood summer nemesis, The Ice Cream Man. When they were little, my girls would take off at an Olympic sprint whenever they heard that creepy tinny music from blocks away. I could hear their little feet thundering through the house as they came at me all breathless and tense and asked me hopefully, “CANWEHAVEMONEYFORICECREAMPRETTYPLEASEHUH?” Take a breath girls! Here’s your quarters now go get sticky! One summer I actually gave them each their own roll of quarters and told them to use it wisely.. make it last.. I actually thought I was teaching them something cool about being responsible. Too bad Abby had already learned how to be generous because she went out and gave all of her quarters away to friends. LOL It is nice that you shared, Abby… but please don’t do that with your future paychecks! Now when the Ice Cream Man circles our neighborhood like a hungry vulture, the girls don’t even blink an eye as the music filters through the house like some horror scene about to play out.. And once again, I ask myself what I would have done.. what I would have thought… if someone had told me, “Hey Nicole, see those adorable little girls out there with ice cream running down their faces? Well, this is the very last time they are going to want to chase the ice cream truck. How do you feel about that?” The truth is that I probably would have cried because I do that a lot as I watch my babies turn into blossoming adults.

So that is why we bought 17 pumpkins! Because next year, or the year after that, or the year after that.. when I wake up one day and realize that we no longer rush off to the pumpkin patch with our grins and cameras ready, I want to be able to say, “Yeah, I remember that and it was OH. SO. COOL!”





By the way - Today is my Sweet Grandma Robinson's birthday. Grandma, I still miss you every day.. still fight the tears that are my constant since you've been gone.. and I will always...ALWAYS love you. Happy Birthday, Beautiful Lady!