Sunday, November 6, 2011

Girls Day Out & Haunted Houses

Making Halloween Haunted Houses:


We had a gift card to Mama Chus that expired one Friday and so I decided to take the girls out for fun and lunch. We went down to Riverwoods and played in the water fountain thingy (where the water just shoots out of holes in ground). Then we walked around and of course there had to be a big huge teddy bear outside of Blickenstaffs. A worker came out to check on us and ended up giving us free tickets for the carousel at Provo Beach Resort so we went and enjoyed that. Then went to Mama Chus. First time going out to eat just me and the girls. We had a blast. They were so good. Kate ate a ton. They brought out mild salsa for her. She was in Heaven. Abi didn't like the food as much but she still had fun. I had a great time just spending time with my little girlets.

Abi's Birthday



Can you believe Abi is 4!?!?!? We can't. We had a wonderful time celebrating her big day.
Pirate coins leading to her birthday presents started the day.
Playing with new toys followed.
Friends arrived.
Pirate lunch party ensued.
Richard took the whole day off--couldn't have done it without him.
Kids were hilarious holding their own conversations at the table. H.I.L.A.R.I.O.U.S & priceless!
Treasure hunt and present opening.
Kids went home.
Nap! Even birthday girl slept.
Provo Beach Resort (Had the place to ourselves!)
Dinner
Grandma & Papa Visited
Icky Cake (it so didn't turn out)
Pretty awesome 4th birthday. We love our Abigail!

Sunday, October 23, 2011

How did they get this big???




I think I've slept through most of this year -- been incoherent is probably more like it because its like I just opened my eyes and can see how big our girls have gotten. Miss 97% for height Abigail and Miss knows her alphabet and numbers Kate are just so stinkin wonderful and fun. We love our little girls and can't wait to add the third into the mix in just a few weeks.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Tough Decisions

So... If we don't miraculously get an offer on the house by Monday, we're taking it off the market. It's a depressing thought after all we've been through. We still may have to move. It depends on how paychecks go or if I can get enough from my etsy shop to keep us going. We're out of reserves and the new baby will be here in a little over a month. The idea of not having any more showings sounds nice but on the flip side the idea of struggling through another winter is very daunting. So I guess we'll see what happens in the next few days--if my sanity can even get us that far.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Another "offer"

Had another "offer" today on our house from someone who isn't qualified (he assured me he was). He also assured me it would work (uh yeah...for him only). Just the minor detail that we'd have to find somewhere to live for 6 months while he accrues landlord status. He probably would want us to move while I'm in labor too. Got to love this lovely experience. Maybe we'll set the longest record for time on the market.

Sunday, October 9, 2011

The Bearded Beanie


So I was looking at etsy one day and Richard saw a picture of one of these and he said they were cool. I asked if he would wear one. Heck yes. So I found a pattern and voila!

Sunday, September 18, 2011

Marriage Helps

If you'd like to read an article I wrote about some Marriage Help Ideas, check out my new blog

Monday, August 29, 2011

New Blog

So, I'm trying to separate business and family stuff so I've created a new blog for business, as well as all my random thoughts, freebies, recipes, tutorials and more. I would really appreciate if you would become a follower, like me through facebook, spread the word, etc. I've got to get the rest of my bow ties sold and it would be nice to keep selling my digital stuff!
Go here: http://www.prettifuldesigns.blogspot.com to check it out.

Sunday, August 28, 2011

FHE Ideas

I'm trying to come up with a list of ideas for Family Home Evening. Below you'll find what I brainstormed this afternoon. I'd LOVE it if you would CONTRIBUTE IDEAS and I'll make a master list. There are 4 categories: Family Fun, Service, Learning & Working, and Lessons

Family Fun
  • Board Games & Puzzles
  • Puppet SHows
  • Art or Crafts
  • Visit Library
  • Go swimming
  • Holiday Decorating
  • Video Recording
  • Watching Old Family Videos
  • Miniature Golf
  • Go for a walk/nature walk/bike ride
  • Make Caramel/Chocolate Apples
  • Make Halloween Haunted Houses out of Graham Crackers
  • Drive in movie with Concession Stand
  • Visit Pet store
  • Go to Mall Playground Area
  • Go to park
  • Play with kids and their toys
  • Visit Temple Grounds
  • Take Family pictures
  • Make homemade ice cream or root beer
  • Have a music band
  • Star gaze
  • Make s'mores
  • Time capsule
  • Play kickball
  • Tag
  • Throw a ball around
  • Create an obstacle course
Learning & Working
  • Build something together
  • Learn how to take care of a baby
  • Clean car - inside/outside/both
  • Learn how to cook a meal
  • Learn to sweep/mop/vacuum
  • Learn to grocery shop
  • Wash windows
  • Make holiday decorations
  • Plant flowers/trees
  • Weed
Service
  • Make & Take a treat to someone
  • Rake leaves/do yard work for someone
  • Visit someone
  • Church cleaning
  • Toy/book/clothing give away
  • Sub for Santa
  • Letters/art to grandparents/great grandparents
Lessons
  • Missionary Work
  • Testimonies
  • Saving $
  • Marriage
  • No fighting
  • Acting out scripture stories
  • Forgiveness
  • Callings and faithfully serving
  • Temples
PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE ADD TO MY LIST!!!!!



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Our Super Mini Vacation



It's been almost a year and a half since we've had a family vacation. Richard has been exhausted and we really needed some family time. Since finances are low and my health hasn't been great we got a hotel in Murray and did some fun things up in Salt Lake. We tried to do things that we usually don't do like order dessert, let the girls actually spend $0.51 to make a flat penny, etc. Here's the rundown:

1st Day
Stopped at Ikea on the way to pick up some lamps as our bedside lamps broke about 6 months ago and we've had so little light. We were just going to be in and out but the girls had such a blast in there!
Ate lunch at IHOP- most of the fun parts of our trip were eating out. It was a luxury!
Checked into the hotel and had a little nap
Saw Kung Fu Panda 2 - AWESOME. The girls and us were laughing pretty hard.
Went to the aquarium
Ate at the Mayan--Super fun. The food is known for being bad but it was actually really good. Richard and I split the chicken burrito--maybe that is the only good thing on the menu? We also ordered the lava overflow cake with a sparkler on top to celebrate Daddy's birthday. The girls used their money to make flattened penny's. They thought it was pretty cool.
Went back to the hotel and went swimming.
Kate was out after all of this. Abi however stayed up till about 11 watching Princess Diaries with us.





2nd Day
We enjoyed a hot breakfast at our hotel and left early to beat the heat. We started with the Zoo. The favorites were the giraffes, tigers, (they got to feed llamas too) and the gorilla. We watched the gorilla eat a cardboard box and then his own waste. Just about lost my lunch. We rode the train- something we've never done before. We didn't know there were animals you could only see from the train.
Then we grabbed some Burger King on the way to Bountiful to see my Grandma. We enjoyed a visit with her and then we took naps at the hotel. We then went swimming for a long time. We tried to get into the Cheesecake Factory- I've always wanted to go! but it was too long of a wait. We went to Applebees instead and then walked around the mall. The girls used their money to buy a little princess toy. Then came back and Abi zonked while Kate was bouncing all around. She finally fell asleep and Richard and I ordered a pizza for fun!









3rd Day?
Started about 4 am with Kate waking up. Nothing seemed wrong. She just wouldn't sleep. She climbed into bed with us and then threw up around 5. We cleaned her up and she threw up again. We packed everything up, including a sleeping Abi, left a $10 for the maid and left. We missed out on going swimming again and the Children's museum today but that's how it goes. Came home to the house reeking. The girls fish had all died. We aired out the house and got it smelling better all in time for round 3 of throwing up. After some cartoons the girls and I fell asleep on the couch while Richard worked. Yeah, he wasn't in the office the last 3 days but he still had to work.

Someday maybe Richard can have a REAL vacation and not have to work but he really enjoyed not being in the office the last few days. Abi's favorite part was swimming. Kate's favorites were swimming, pretending to talk on the phone, and turning on and off the lamps at the hotel. My favorite was eating out AND watching the girls run after daddy down the hall in their bathing suits with Kate's little bum wagging back and forth and Abi's "still arm" run --she runs with one arm still and the other moving--super funny. Richard also enjoyed eating out. We're so glad we got to go--wish it didn't have to end so abruptly. We're hoping the rest of us don't get sick but we are quarantined until I feel confident we're not all sick too.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Catch Up & Baby Bump


I tried getting "nice" pictures of each girl. Hmm....it wasn't so easy:Abi wanted to get her picture with the Uke:

I LOVE Kate's crazy hair. It cracks me up all day long!

25 Weeks. I'm definitely bigger than last time:

We've been trying to do lots of crafts. Here's our ladybug costume:

Kate and her new bike I got for $5 at a yard sale. It's perfect. Notice how filthy she is? It is so hard keeping this one clean!!! :)
24th of July. We stayed up late and lit fireworks and had glow bracelets. The Dickersons joined us. It was fun!

Sunday, July 10, 2011

We're having a...

girl! Woohoo!!! Can't wait to have 3 princesses!

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Summer Fun

We've had a great summer so far. A few weeks ago we went to the Macey's celebration and then headed to one of our favorite spots - Payson Lakes & the Grotto.


Kate just walked right in and sat in the lake. She was sitting a little further back when I took this:


We couldn't resist this sign that someone had changed to "pee area"


The Grotto. BEST hike with little kids- EVER!

Abi at Trafalga:
Summerfest Parade in their new matching dresses.

Summerfest carnival rides. Best $1.50 we spent that week!

Banana Sushi. Super Easy. Super Fun. Super Yummy. Check it out here

2nd Treasure Hunt up Battle Creek in PG

We've also been to the Colonial Fest in Orem, Seven Peaks a few times, Farmers Markets, Rooftop Concert, Concert in the Park, and Yard Sales!

Abi still keeps us busy with her "play by play" style of talking and Kate has to sleep with several books and a few mismatched shoes clutched in her arms.

I'm making dresses for Christmas and birthdays and Richard's developing some conversion software on the side.

Saturday, June 11, 2011

City Deals

Anyone who hasn't tried citydeals before - it's awesome. If you use this code to sign up, I get $10 - CDUMTcyODQw We've been using it lately to buy gift cards to try and motivate Richard's sales people. Sign up for their emails and you can get 50-70% off local gift cards. Great for date night or family activities!

http://www.citydeals.com/?ref=CDUMTcyODQw