Part I

My house looks like a complete disaster and I feel like I could just fall on my bed and sleep for 15 hours at this very moment. But, I promised to be back within the week and Michael is telling me that I need to blog.

I do have a lot to share...just where to begin and what pictures out of the hundreds do I share? My first "mini-vacation" was during the week of the 24th up in St. Johns. My beautiful and sweet sister-in-law was good enough to travel all the way from Oklahoma to fulfill our wishes. I miss that girl every day and it was so good to spend a week with her!

We did so many fun things while we were there. We played at the pool several times. This even included some water aerobics with all the women. It makes me giggle just thinking about it. It really is so enjoyable and quite a workout! We also took the kids a few times during family swim and they loved playing in the water with Aunt Lollie.

Michael's cousin Ben brought his boat up and took us out on the lake for some fun tubing and skiing. After a few rounds on the tube Ben asked if we were done. My most intelligent husband responded with, "You haven't thrown me off yet!" I know I was in for it then. But, Michael got the worst of it with a face plant and bruises on his lips. Serves him right, I guess. And he never took pictures of me skiing. I've decided that is because he can't ski. He is very competitive and the fact that his wife can out do him in something is a little embarrassing....or A LOT!

We all went to the parade and enjoyed the floats. Caden was wrangled in to being a part of the pooper scoopers behind all the horses. I could tell he did not like us yelling his name out as he passed with a shovel full of horse poop! What a sport. And every year they end the parade with the fire truck shooting out tons of water getting all the spectators wet. So much fun!


Weston loves when Uncle Scott is around with his "truck". Scott is always so nice and offers to take him on a ride.

Hannah loved playing with Lollie. They played the piano, jumped on the trampoline, and even got some beads out to make some bracelets.


I caught Weston doing this SEVERAL times. I was lucky my camera was close just once. Seriously! Boys and the freedom of relieving themselves out in the open. I'll never understand.
Honestly, I can't think of a better picture to end this post with. We loved spending time with everybody and miss them all!

Dear Blogspot,

I want you to know that I have not forgotten you. Life has taken me on two fun vacations within the last month. I have much to share with you. Please just give me a week and I will be back! I have missed you and finally feel like I am back on my feet. Talk to you soon!

Thank you Grandma Bast!

As some of you know, Weston was up in St. Johns with Grandma Bast for just over a week. I'm pretty sure he enjoyed every minute of Grandma to himself. Michael and I packed and headed up to St. Johns for the 4th of July to enjoy family and pick up Weston. We really enjoyed seeing everyone and visiting over the holiday. But, you know what the best part was? Grandma Bast potty trained Weston!!!! It has been heaven to have him out of diapers! I am soooo grateful that she took to time to do something I have absolutely dreaded for the last little while! Thank you a million times over!

Grandpa and Grandma Davis - Project

Hello everyone! Grandpa and Grandma Davis let me go up and record some of their stories about 9 months ago and here is Grandpa telling his George Washington Rabbit story. We are going to make a Legacy Documentary about Grandpa and Grandma's lives, but I need the help of the family. I need stories and questions to ask them about! So please fill out the form below if you would like to help and receive some more of the videos I have filmed of Grandpa and Grandma. I just included Grandpa's Primary Story.
(Grandpa's Mountain Lion Story video will be sent out to those who help)

To help Grandpa & Grandma fill out below
First Name *
Last Name *
Email *
Phone *

Just me and the little lady

Both Caden and Weston are enjoying the good weather in St. Johns. That leaves me home with just my little lady. I don't remember the last time the house has been this quiet or even when I have had so much time to sew and do other things I want to get done. I have a lot of beans I just picked and they need to be bottled this weekend along with the bazillion tomatoes we have growing! I miss the boys, but I have very much enjoyed the simplicity of one child.

Because it is awesome!

Summer is here!

School is finally over for the year! That being said, I can not believe that Caden is going to be in the fifth grade! He has been looking forward to summer for sooo long and could not wait to head up to St. Johns. He spends a lot of time with Grandma and Grandpa over the summer months. I decided it would be nice to get out of the heat for a few days, so we all headed to the mountains for some time with Grandma and Grandpa! The weather has been so nice here! When we arrived, everyone was at the park for a BBQ and it was raining just a little bit. It is perfect outside and we are so glad to get away! Happy Summer Everyone!

I am addicted to coupons!

Okay, so I know you are all probably sick of hearing about my coupons! However, I MUST share this one. I thought it was such a great trip to CVS this week. Here is what is in the picture.

3 jumbo packs of pull-ups
3 Ragu pasta sauce
3 skippy peanut butter
3 schick quattro razors
3 toothbrushes (one is an electric spongebob brush)
2 kids toothpaste
1 Nivea sunkissed leg lotion
1 Nivea body wash
1 bayer quick release crystals

Before my coupons and extra bucks the total was $109.00
After my coupons and extra bucks I paid $18.51.

PLUS I have $27.00 in extra bucks to use on my next purchase! Gotta love it!

Sorry... Made me laugh

Winner, Winner!

So, I just want to thank all of you wonderful people out there who sent words of encouragement my way when I was feeling so overwhelmed. I am incredibly grateful for such good people in my life who buoy me up. You all had such good advice, but I have to hand it to the men. I never expected two guys to comment on my post and have such good advice. And so, my dear Jake and Jared, you are the winners who will inherit one fantastic piece sewn especially by me. So I ask, for whom do you want me to sew this item? Please let me know and we will keep in touch. Thank you once again to everyone who commented!

This is what I found on the computer today

DEAR Mother,
To day I’m writing to tell you that how much I love you.
You are awesome, and you are the hardest working mother
I’ve seen in my entire life. Also, just so you know mothers day
Is almost here! So, expect a gift from Dad . You are the most
Hard working mom ever and very kind.
You are the best ever (don’t tell dad) and you are very loving
And cautious. You are the best mom ever.

Love,
Caden


P.S. you are awesome!

Overwhelmed

So, I must admit I have been feeling very overwhelmed as of late. I don't like to post these kinds of things, because I really try to be positive. I feel like I have a tendency to look at the negative in life rather than the positive. This is very much a weakness for me. I really have to make an effort to have a good attitude every day.

I almost feel like I am drowning. Some of my stresses as of late include a dirty house, lack of patience with my kids, keeping finances straight, feeling like I am not teaching my children enough about life and the gospel, forgetting prayers and scripture study(both personal and family), and much more. I just feel like I can never catch up with everything and get organized.

So, here is the deal. I have decided that if you help me out, I will help you out and then you can help someone else out(if you choose). Sort of like a pay if forward deal, but it is up to you to pay it forward. I am not going to hold you to doing so. I would like any of you to leave me a comment as to what you do to become more organized/not feel so overwhelmed. It can be anything. In return, I will pick a winner, or two, or three to sew something for. You can choose for whom I sew the item, but you can not pick the item. I will make a cute little pinny dress for your daughter, or some p.j. pants for you, or perhaps a cute little monster appliqued on a shirt for your little monster. We will see what I come up with. So, come on all you fabulous people and help me out!

Just a little side note.....you can expect your little gift within the next three months. Thanks for all of your help!

WOW! ...... Click on the link below!

ONE OF THE MOST MOVING THINGS I HAVE SEEN.

Video of Woman Singing.

After you watch it, come back and tell me if you didnt almost do something that rhymes with "dry".
Wow! Very, very moving.

Superb Fantasy Football Commercials

If you like football, you'll love these.

Excessive Celebration

Make sure you watch the whole thing.

Michael's New Movie Blog

Michael has started a new blog about movies. You can see it here.

T.E.N.

What can I say? I am OLD! My first child is now in the double digits. Caden turned ten on the 25th. We didn't do too much on his Birthday, because I was a brave mother and decided that I should throw Caden a party. This was his first official Bday party. We have always lived in apt. complexes and places that he never really had any friends that he played with much. Now that we live in a house and he lives in the same neighborhood as his school and church friends, it all worked out. Today was the magical day. He was terribly excited and I wanted to make it special. I saw a cake (thanks to Jandi) a little while ago that I fell in love with. Caden really liked it, so we planned the party around the cake. The theme of the party was Knights and Dragons. When the kids arrived, I had some shields cut out of cardboard that they got to decorate themselves. We had just three little tasks (games) that they had to play in order to become "knighted". I made
some really cool helmets to go along with their swords, shields and gold. Caden had a blast! Happy Birthday Caden! We love you!

Sir Caden slaying the dragon.

Awesome Commercials for Eclipse Gum

This is for my Cousann Maria!!!

Funny, Funny

ING

There has been a lot of ING going on in our house lately. For example, Michael has been writING, I have been gardenING and couponING. What a busy life we lead!

Michael has decided to once again take and release some of his creative energy. This time he is involving Caden. They are writing 10 short and silly stories with Caden being the illistrator. It has been fun to watch them work together to make this happen.

Yes, it is true folks. I have decided to start couponing and boy am I loving it! I have signed up for couponsense and it is already saving us a ton of money! Call me crazy, but it's true. About a week ago, I got all of this for FREE!

My amazing parents flew down to help me out with my garden. My mom said, "If you are going to do it, do it right." And boy, did we ever! My dad purchased a tiller, mulch and everything we needed to put in a drip system. It was a lot of work, but it looks beautiful and I could not be happier!

Happy Birthday Weston!

Saturday was Weston's 3rd Birthday. He had everything he wanted for his special day. He had Birthday hats, cake and his sweet Grandma here. Who could ask for more, right? He was so excited when we put his cake in front of him. We lit the candle and started to sing Happy Birthday. He slowly sunk in his seat and started to cry. It really upset him that we were singing to him!? Strange, I know. Grandma had to try and soothe him. She brought Hannah over to help him blow out the candle. Michael ended up blowing the candle out. Other than the break down with the cake, I think he had a good day. We love you Weston!

A new set of eyes

Caden has begged and begged me to get him contacts. Now, let's be real. He is only 9....nearly 10. But, does that age scream responsibility? Not really. He has broken a pair of glasses every year due to sports, rough housing and just plain teasing everyone. Today, I gave in. I felt like I had explained to him over and over what exactly contacts would entail. Plus, our insurance would not cover both contacts and glasses. He had to make a decision. Contacts it was. There is no going back. He either has to wear the contacts or broken glasses. For now, he LOVES them. I hope it stays that way, 'cause he sure has some beautiful blue eyes!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Hope you all enjoyed your day as much as Hannah!

Hannah's first pigtails