Jason has his annual SIM training this week. The "Powers That Be" scheduled him to fly nights...for the entire week. This means he leaves the house around noon and doesn't return until 11 PM...every night...for an entire week. Today was extra special since he left the house around 8 AM.

This makes a long day for Mommy. Mommy is on the verge of losing it people.

So...how do I keep my sanity, you ask? Well...let's see...matching pajamas - complete with coordinating tu-tus, a beautiful princess tent, a magical wand, a private screening of Snow White and a photo shoot. Not to mention the glass of wine I'm savoring this very minute while listening to the soothing sounds of my friend, John Coltrane - love that guy.

In other BIG NEWS - look who's walking around the house with a little help from a stroller! She is so proud of herself - especially when Evelyn and I break out in applause due to our sheer amazement. I swear, this child will be driving the car before the year is out.

And let's not forget little Tru-baby.

He sends a big "WOOF" and a slobbery kiss to all you out there who read this little blog of ours.

G'night!

First let me send a little shout-out to my brother-in-law, the fabulous Colin Seneca - without him this post and my utter joy and gastronomical happiness would not be possible. THANK YOU, Colin. You are THE MAN.
Even if you are too busy guarding the door to the West to ever read this.

Now...go forth and create this heavenly dip people!

SMOKED SALMON DIP

1 pound smoked ALASKAN salmon
8 oz. cream cheese
1 TBL Worcestershire sauce
1 TBL lemon juice
1/4 tsp basil
1/8 tsp cayenne pepper

Mix all ingredients well. For best results chill 2 hours before serving.
Serve with crackers or whatever makes your heart sing.

HAPPY HAPPY HAPPY FATHER'S DAY to the MOST INCREDIBLE DADDY!!!
Thank you, Jason for being the most amazing father to our girls.
I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE you!

Evelyn - do you love your Daddy???

"YEAH!!!"

How about you, Aurelia???

"You know this!"

And to wrap up this post...just a few more pictures...of Jason's Father's Day Dinner. It was so delicious I just have to share!

MENU
Seared Porterhouse Steak with Sauteed Mushrooms
Roasted Asparagus
Smashed Potatoes with Bacon and Green Onions
Mojitos

Sooooooooo yummy!

Watch Out! Evelyn is now a free agent - able to climb out of her bed on her own (typically around 6:30 AM) and roam the house unsupervised while Jason and I continue to sleep like two lumps on a log...THANKFULLY her only desire at this point is to crawl into bed with Mommy and Daddy, cuddle and sleep another hour and a half.

When Aurelia wakes up she joins the party and we all relax a bit before starting our day.

A favorite breakfast item of ours is fruit. We'll sit down to breakfast - have our fill (or so Jason and I assume) and then move onto other activities. If we leave any fruit on the table it's a pretty safe bet that Evelyn will hunt it down and finish it off.

"Look Mom! I'm using a big girl fork!"

What do you have there Evelyn?

Look at that posture! What a little lady!

Delicious!

We've had a few days of non-stop rain so when the sun finally makes an appearance we're quick to run outside and bask in its glow while we can. Sunshine makes us so happy.

Baby Aurelia loves kisses in the sun and Mommy loves to give them!

Evelyn's buddies showed up - on que - to take her for a spin in the jeep. Layla and Madden love the sunshine too!

Evelyn found a few puddles in the yard and loved the sensation of the water in-between her toes - but really - who doesn't like that?

Look at that splash!

There was a puddle on our walkway too - she had to hit them both. Back and forth...

...back and forth!

Puddles are the absolute best.

Well...that and throwing the frisbee for Truman. And when I say "throw" what I really mean is run around the yard and have the dog chase her down.

Go Truman!

Run Evelyn!

Evelyn was making her way over to Mommy and the swing and was having a tough time carrying both of her two softballs. So Daddy came up with a unique solution to her problem.

Hello Dolly.

I don't know what's more disturbing: Jason's solution or the fact that my daughter felt the need to hold the balls while they were in her shirt.

I sure do love my life and my two sweet baby girls.

I know we live in The South - we have two Arkansas children - but I never thought we'd embrace the lifestyle as eagerly and as easily as we have.

Let me explain.

Our neighbors have a little boy who loves to drive his jeep into our yard, pick up our daughter and drive off around the neighborhood until it's time to head inside - and our daughter looks forward to this every night. Well - last night Jason noticed that little Aurelia has been overlooked and left out of these little excursions and he decided to make a change.

So he went into the garage and grabbed the wagon and a bungee cord.

Maybe I should just let the pictures tell my story.

Uh huh...you're not seeing things. The man actually hitched our little red wagon to the back of the jeep - with our 8 month old daughter inside. Don't worry though - he strategically placed a basketball in the wagon to support her head against any possible whip-lash.

I don't think Aurelia knew what to think of all this at first. This was all so new...and a little terrifying. Look at that poor baby holding on for dear life.

It wasn't long before she embraced her Arkansas roots and whooped it up - she LOVED it!

Evelyn loved it too.

Then Madden gave Evelyn his baseball cap to wear. While this was incredibly sweet Jason did not like the implications of this gesture. He was ready to yank her out of that car and lock her in the house forever.

Daddy is going to have a tough time when his little girl starts dating.

"I swear nothing happened Daddy. Really."

Oh YEAH! That ride rocked!
She looks eager to do this again - doesn't she?