home.

We got home from a week and a half long vacation to Phoenix early Thursday morning after driving for 14 hours with our three boys.

It's good to be home.

We had a wonderful time visiting Mr. Gardner's mom and stepdad. We enjoyed spending time with our family, watching our boys play and cuddle with their grandparents. We did some serious shopping (I got to go to IKEA and Trader Joe's for the first time). We soaked up the beautiful sunshine and 80 degree days. Good thing, too...since it's been raining and in the 50's since we got back to Idaho.

I don't think there's anything like being gone from your home for a while to make you enjoy it more. Absence makes my heart grow fonder of my home. Even though it's messy and everything is only half unpacked, it's still home.

Jane Austen said it well: "There's nothing like staying (or, in our case, coming back) home for real comfort."

vacation.

A vacation is one-third pleasure, fondly remembered

&

two-thirds aggravation, entirely forgotten.

~Robert Brault

one.

April 28 was my baby's first birthday.

I made him cupcakes from Pioneer Woman's sheet cake recipe, with this frosting, and they were really yummy.

He was quite happy with his cupcake and candle...mostly the candle.

Then we blew it out...and I think we broke his little heart.

We encouraged him to try the cupcake, but he wasn't too sure...I think he was still upset about the candle.

Then he realized, "Hey, this is good!"

At which point he quickly devoured one...then two cupcakes!

Here he is declaring his passionate love for cupcakes with a little song...

Just kidding.

I used to think it was cliche to always be commenting on how fast children grow...until I had them. There's nothing like having babies to make you realize just how fast a year goes by. It's really obvious with little ones...a year brings amazing changes.

Mama loves you, Noah Bug.