my 30th

This year I turned the big 3-0! It was fabulous! I had a lovely luncheon with my local girlfriends.

Garrett took me out to the States for my favorite dinner at PF Changs and then HE-TOOK-ME-SHOPPING...at the MALL!!

It was so much fun! I had my Great Wall of Chocolate Birthday cake and all.

Later that evening my in-laws (sisters and brothers) surprised me with a fun night of games. They know how much I love to play games and that is what we did. We also had an "open (alcohol-free) bar" which I also love!

We played cards and sipped daiquiris all night long. It was perfect.

High Tea

Alex's 6th Birthday

Tea Party

Alex turned 6 the following week. She hosted a perfect American Girl Doll Tea Party. We had all the trimmings to go along with the theme.

Each girl got to style their dolls' hair at the salon before tea was served.

After tea we had a great dance party and the girls played house.

Each guest got to go home with lots of hair accessories for their doll, a tea cup and saucer, a brush and a magic wand.

We served sweet and sour meat balls, cucumber and cream cheese sandwiches (cut out in the shape of hearts), mini cupcakes, tulip cakes, deli swirls, strawberry lemonade, and herbal tea.

Happy Birthday Alex.

In case you didn't know...

Facts about BarbaraJo:

 10 Favorite Places to be: No particular order.
1. In my house.
2. Poolside...doesn't matter where
3. Utah...with my gorgeous sisters, mother and brother.
4. Oh Canada...back to my roots.
5. Shopping...Grandma Walker style
6. Playing tennis
7. Movies...air conditioned, yummy treats, great entertainment.
8. The beach...thus far Cancun is ranked #1. A close second is Hawaii.
9. Sitting on a porch enjoying great conversation.
10. Boating

9 interesting/weird things about me.
1. I am an expert at reading body language.
2. I've always wanted to open my own bakery.
3. I am 5' 11'' but I love my 4'' heels.
4. You either love me or you hate me. Not many people are on the fence.
5. All I want for Christmas is patio furniture.
6. I feel invincible when I'm with my sisters and/or sisters-in-law.
7. I love chocolate cake for breakfast.
8. I have to work-out everyday even if it is doing 50 squat jumps right before getting into bed.
9. I hate to sweep.

8 things i am going to do this summer.
1. Tori is getting baptized.
2. I will hold a tennis camp.
3. Teach Benton how to swim.
4. Each lots of apricots and peaches.
5. Lose that last 5 pounds.
6. Plant a garden.
7. Read
8. Golf, swim and play tennis.

7 things I am thinking of
1. How badly I do not want to wash the dishes.
2. I can't believe I will be 30 this weekend!
3. I shouldn't have eaten that pan of Strawberry Oatmeal bars.
4. How much I do NOT know about scouting, yet I'm the Scout Leader.
5.What else can I give my baby to keep her entertained so I can finish this.
6. How can kids produce so much dirt?!
7.Do I have any chocolate hidden anywhere in the house? I need some.

6 Things I Am Wearing
1. white skinny jeans
2. turquoise pumps
3. pink cotton shirt
4. pony tail
5. wedding ring
6. nursing baby

5 Things That I Am Worried About
1. This year's crop.
2. My face.
3. My birthday. I hear 30 is amazing... I don't want to be disappointed.
4. That my kids will all turn out.
5. How many more kids am I supposed to have?

4 Things On My Floor
1.pillows
2.laundry basket
3.shoes
4.a monkey

3 Things I Want To Do Today
1. Eat chocolate
2. Take a nap
3. Get my mail.

2 Random Facts
1. I love tickling my husband's feet. (He hates it.)
2.My kids give the best foot rubs.

1 My #1 Secret
1. I am deathly afraid of singing in public.

Tag 4 people:
Taylor Knight, Ashley Siruno, Meredith Jones, Kami Hatch

taco

These are the BEST tacos in town. They are served out of a trailer but they are to die for!

With any order of tacos they bring out a tray of condiments such as

guacamole

salsa

pico de gallo

limes

pickled onions

and salt.

They are made with FRESH tortillas and the most perfectly seasoned beef.

One order comes with 5 tacos.

They also offer a terrific batter shrimp taco.

OH-SO-GOOD!

All of our out-of-town guests LOVE to stop by this taco stand.

They are one of a kind.

One of the perks of living in Mexico....REAL authentic Mexican Food...hot off the grill.

Busy Bees

We've been busy. I learned that if you want to change the look of your front entry just get a new door mat, wreath, update your light fixture/door knob and paint your door a new, fun color.

Well seeing that my house is PINK (not by our choosing) the only color that would be acceptable was black.

Then I moved on to my bedroom. I found an antique wooden door, painted it black and turned it into my new headboard. That, along side my new stack-o-books night stand. I found two great coordinating lamps on sale and...viola...a new look to my room.

Then I moved onto my closets. My good friend came over and taught me how to fold my clothing just like the department stores. The end result is beautiful and created so much more space.

I was also able to get rid of two garbage sacks full of clothes and shoes. 

I feel like I've lost 10 pounds!

That same sweet friend also stayed and helped me go through and organize two closets...many drawers...fix my shoe tree...and even brought me a new shoe organizer.

I am so happy to have order in my bedroom/closets again.

Thank You Jen!

{comfort}

What is it about homemade chocolate chip cookies baking in the oven that makes you feel at home?

A warm cookie and a cold glass of milk is the ultimate comfort.

Doesn't matter where I live...once I get those cookies in the oven....the smell of "HOME" returns.

My girls share a room...and a bed.

They have learned to comfort each other.

The other night Alex woke up crying from a nightmare.

Tori leaned over and said it will be okay...just hold my hand.

And so they slept...hand-in-hand...the rest of the night.

I love how my children will try to comfort each other and even Garrett or I when we are feeling down.

They are so sensitive and sweet.

My home is definitely blessed because of them.

They are MY comfort.

Tiny Tori

We have lived in Mexico for 8 years. 

I have been teaching ballet from my own studio for 8 years. 

My kids have grown-up in tutus...trying on pointe shoes...hanging on my legs...dancing with the big girls...and counting to 8 over...and over again.

Tori was only 2 or 3 in this picture and she was trying on the big girls' dance shoes. 

All my kids have grown-up next to me in the studio while I teach ballet. 

Even Benton has a great knowledge of the (French) ballet terminology.

I love my little assistants. 

The Smudge

In our community there are many orchards.

It gets cold at night but it is warm during the day so the buds need to be protected from the frost.

These days  a sprinkling system is used to trap the warmth.

Every morning the orchards look like this.

This particular night the temperature dropped to 10 degrees.

There is nothing you can do for temps that low.

We kissed our apple crop good-bye and snapped some cool photos.

Now we are praying that our chile is fruitful.

Back in the day the farmers would light "smudge buckets" under each tree to frost control.

The town would be covered in thick smoke for most of the day.

Soot would get in the homes and stain the furniture and carpets.

The men would come home BLACK.

A more effective way was found to frost control....with water and a sprinkling system....but the process has always been known as the "smudge."

Plus, it sounds more manly than the "sprinkle."

The Newest Hatch-lings

Born the end of 2010 are the three newest Hatch-lings.

Can you tell who is who?

From left to right

we have 

Peyton (Greg and Kami)

Presley (Berkley and Margo)

Adalyn (Garrett and BJ)

The hatching started in October, then November, and last December.

There was a baby born each month. 

We like to keep our dear mother-in-law on her toes.

3 generations

Adalyn Hatch 

with her father

Garrett Hatch 

and grandfather

Gerald Hatch

Wordless Wednesday: cookie monster

Turn your frown upside down...

If you are ever having a bad day

all you need to do is start tuning IN to your kids and the things they are saying.

It is easy to tune out all the whining and crying but sometimes the sweetest little things are being said.

One day I was self-loathing and Benton said...from the back seat of the car..."Mom, you my best friend."

My heart melted and I forgot what I was stressing about.

Alex must be able to sense when I need a little boost because she will tell me that she is having the most perfect day on those days that are not going so well for me.

I need to take the time to see the world through the eyes of a child. 

They don't let the negative dwell within their little hearts. 

They are quick to forgive and forget.

They find beauty in the simplest things.

Benton will find me almost every evening and say, "Mom, come look. The stars are here."

I wish we, as adults, could get whacked in the head with a toy car...

cry until someone asks if we are okay...

then go back to playing with the same kid that whacked us without a second thought.

The world would be such a better place.

I know I was sent my four beautiful kids to teach me.

I often feel that they are teaching much more than I have taught them. 

I've learned

peace

comfort by a simple touch

kind words

patience

unconditional love

sharing

and so much more.

If I ever feel overwhelmed...all I have to do is stop and listen to my kids.

Usually it will put a smile on my face.