Our Kids Are Awesome!

I know everyone thinks their own kids are the coolest on the block. Seriously, I think our kids just might be the coolest kids on the block. Sure they have their moments of yelling and screaming about complete nonsense but they are pretty much the most spectacular kids that live in our house.

Now that things are starting to settle down I will be updating my blog from all the way back to our summer adventures. Hope everyone has a happy Christmas.

Dana Lee Fox

I was asked during the summer by my dear friend Dana Lee if our family would be willing to come hangout at her parents home for the weekend so I could capture her father's 60th Birthday party and take some casual family photos for their family. I was tempted to say no because of the hassle it is to take your kids on a short weekend trip. However Brandon and I both felt we could do it, Dana Lee does so much for our family, and our kids would be fine. Fast forward to now and my friend passed away a few weeks ago with complications from surgery. I had no idea the significance these photos would have when I took them. I'm so thankful I was able to use my talent in this way and give something special to her family that will be cherished. Dana Lee was like a sister for me. She loved my kids so much and was so helpful when I was overwhelmed. Brandon is the primary chorister in our ward and worked closely with Dana Lee who was the Primary President. She will be a friend that will always be missed by many.

Dallin was her D Man. She loved him and he could often be found at church in her arms. I even caught her glaring at others a few times if they were holding him.

Fabric Possibilities

Here are some fabric possibilities for my screened in porch dining set. What do you think? The fabrics are from Fabric.com.

New Project: Operation Screened Porch

We have been in our home four years now. We have never done anything to the screened porch. It seems to be more of our storage in limbo spot. Until now. I bought an ugly but with great potential small dining set at an estate tag sale today. I am excited to begin this project.

I also bought this piece because I thought it was super cool. I am thinking of using it has a planter for the centerpiece.

Komodo Dragon

Dallin has been working the army crawl for awhile. He seems to be very content with his speed and prefers it over his knees. I think it looks more like the way a Komodo Dragon walks.

Funny Conversation with Brooklyn

There is a 5th grader on Brooklyn's bus stop who we have befriended. Her family is from India. She started to walk away and said bye.
Me: Audios Hirell!
Hirell: (Walks back towards me.) Um, I am not Mexican, I am Indian.
Me: I know I was just saying bye in Spanish.
Hirell: I don't speak Spanish.
Me: Well you speak a little because you knew I was speaking Spanish.
Brooklyn: (Brooklyn interrupts abruptly.) Your Indian? Do Indians kill people?
Hirell: No.
Me: Brooklyn I think you are confused with people who are from India and Native Americans. Native Americans only killed people because their land was being taken away. Where did you learn this?
Brooklyn: Pocahontas.

Looks like we will need to teach Brooklyn more about the different places people come from.

Back To School

We are back in school. Brooklyn has been so excited to start 1st grade. I hope she can keep that love for school for many years. We are excited about her teacher and have heard nothing but good things about her.




This is a first for us. Camden is attending Preschool through the special education Pre-K program through our district. I am so thankful for the early intervention programs that are in our district. Camden has been so excited about going to school. More than likely she had no idea what to expect but it is what Brooklyn does. Her teachers are great and she has a friend from church in her class. She also is excited to ride in a large bus.




With two girls gone for a few hours in the day I get to hang with this little guy.

New Website

New Website I will be following and I think you should join me too. Playful Factory is great for your kids and the kid in you. Have fun.

My Couch

I don't think I ever blogged about the couch I finally finished upholstering. Over one year ago I found an inexpensive Goodwill couch. Well it was a nasty leafy fabric. Think medical office furniture. I signed up for an upholstery class after months of realizing I was not capable of finishing it without guidance. Here is the final result.

I Love My Kids!

I love these three kids. I am reminded daily how much I love being a mom. Sometimes it is a lot other days I have to dig around for those reminders.

I like him too.

Crafty Girls

My girls love creating things. Their mud sculptures are great!

I love creating things but I have a problem with spending money on projects that have a high likelihood of failing. I had seen this rug project a few months ago and thought it would be a lot of fun. Thanks to my decluttering rampage I was on the other day I found an old plain ikea runner rug. I went out to our workshop and collected all the paint I knew would coordinate. I think the hardest part for me was the taping of the chevron stripes. I then allowed the girls to take turns painting the stripes.

One of the quickest DC tours ever.

Our short road trip ended in DC. We found parking near the air and space museum. We walked around for a little bit and saw very long lines coming from museums and were told no strollers or back packs even those with a baby in them were not allowed. We were all hot, stinky, grumpy, and sweaty. So we got in our car for a 30 minute driving tour of the sites and made our way out of the city (took almost two hours to get out of traffic). We eventually were on our way home.

I love the rest areas along the east coast. They are so pretty. Brandon took a few photos while we took a break.








Brooklyn's new hairdo. Thanks Grandma Irene for all the clips and headbands.


Camden enjoyed picking up any stick she could find. Great photo Brandon!


Dallin looks really excited to be in DC.


This is the end of our walking tour. We ended at the capitol.




Here is our driving tour.
Washington Monument


White House


Really cool view of the Capitol, oh wait no a uhaul!


Lincoln Monument


Finally on our way home. It was a beautiful stretch of highway.


Are there any families interested in a group trip? We can tag team. Definitely will not be going in August.