May the 4th (and Other Shenanigans)

We had one of those weekends where it felt like we packed in a full week’s worth of memories. Between family visits, backyard hangouts, and tackling big yard projects, it was nonstop—but in the best way.

The highlight for me had to be May the 4th. Yes, we are that family—matching Star Wars outfits and all. It was our first time celebrating it as a trio, and we leaned all the way in. Alison wore her classic Star Wars tee, and I wore a Millennium Falcon t-shirt—and Madeline… well, she wore a 0–3 month Baby Yoda outfit we picked up during last year’s Disneyland trip. Miraculously, it still fits her. Granted, the pants are basically shorts now, but with the weather as warm as it was, it worked out perfectly. Honestly, dressing her up in coordinating outfits is one of the underrated joys of parenting. We know the days of her tolerating it are numbered, but for now, we’re matching while we can.

The Phantom Baby Blowout

Friday night brought a bit of a reunion. Kurt and Jen were in town for Lyndsie’s graduation, and they invited us to dinner in Salt Lake. I don’t think we’ve seen Lyndsie in nearly a decade, but it was really nice to reconnect—and to introduce her to Madeline. We met up at Tucci’s Cucina Italiana downtown. It was one of those moments where you realize how quickly time passes but how easy it is to pick things up again. The only hiccup? Madeline has recently developed a habit of blowing out her diaper within five minutes of being strapped into her car seat. True to form, she struck again en route to dinner. The adorable outfit we had carefully picked out? Gone. She made her debut in the backup outfit (thank goodness we always bring one), but she still managed to charm everyone. And we enjoyed a great meal and even better conversation.

The Mulch Awakens

Saturday morning was mulch madness. We’ve been slowly working on remulching all of our flower beds—four full pallets’ worth of mulch from Lowe’s. It’s been a big, multi-week project, but this weekend we were determined to wrap it up. Madeline was still sleeping when I got started, which gave me a bit of a head start. When she woke up, I brought her outside to hang out while I finished. She sat in the grass, content and curious. At one point she made a grab for a handful of Tex’s fur—he stayed just out of reach but clearly wanted to keep an eye on her. The yard looked great, and it felt good to wrap up something that had been lingering on the to-do list for weeks.

These Are the S’mores You’re Looking For

That evening, we kept the good vibes going and invited Blake, Meg, and Goldie over for s’mores. It was one of those breezy spring nights that reminds you why you love this time of year. We lit the fire pit and roasted marshmallows in the yard. The girls weren’t so much playing as they were just existing next to each other—adorable and content, both doing their own thing and being cute as hell while doing it. Madeline was mesmerized by the fire. She sat on Alison’s knees, completely locked in on the flames, like she was watching the most riveting movie of her life.

Attack of the Sprouts

Madeline seems to be right on the edge of crawling. Every day she gets a little more mobile, a little more curious. We find her in new spots constantly, and her determination is hilarious. We know we’re just days away from a major shift in our daily routine once she’s fully on the move. But for now, we’re enjoying the slow build-up and cheering her on from the sidelines. She’s also been trying all sorts of new foods and recently discovered a surprising favorite: Brussels sprouts. On Sunday, she munched on them like they were candy. Definitely one for the books.

May the Fork Be With You

We wrapped up the weekend with a little birthday celebration for our niece, Skylee. On Sunday night, we headed over to Kristin’s house. True to tradition, we brought a couple of pints of chocolate brownie ice cream, and Meg brought brownies—Skylee’s favorite treat. We sang happy birthday, watched her open presents, and enjoyed catching up with everyone. As the evening wound down, Alison, Madeline, and I lingered a little longer. A cool summer rainstorm rolled in, and we found ourselves sitting out on Kristin’s new deck swing, listening to the rain and distant thunder. Madeline was snuggled up in Alison’s arms, and for a few quiet minutes, the world felt perfectly still. It was a lovely, simple end to a weekend full of family, fun, and little joys—the kind of night that reminds you how sweet life can be.