Marriage Helps

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

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.

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!!!!!

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.

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!

We're having a...

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

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.

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

She'll hate me when she's older...

...but I couldn't resist. These pajamas are the bomb! Richard called these her "wet suit." Very skin tight, showing all her cute rolls and chub. Love it!

Abi in her new pajama dress:

We had the best pet for a few weeks--caterpillars and butterflies. Abi even saw one of them break out of the cocoon. I love showing our kids science and nature in real life. I only paid $15 (love the coupons) but I would have paid the $35 for it. It was so worth it. Wish they lived longer than 2 weeks. They really were the best pet.

Sunday afternoon Wrestling Smack Down:

She's not excited to be on there: :)

Treasure Hunts

Abi has been obsessed with treasure hunts lately. Two Saturdays ago we decided to lead her on one up the canyon. It took 5 minutes to prepare and we had hours of fun. The look on her face when she found the first note outside was priceless. She was so stinkin excited.

Some of her treasure:

Richard made me pose there. My belly is pitifully small.

Kate is clearly having a great time:

5

Baby #3 is coming November 2011!

So far this pregnancy:
I can't breathe.
I've been super nauseous.
Extremely exhausted.
Strongest craving: Garlic

Abi knew before I did. She would tell me that I was going to have a "baby brother" for a few weeks before I knew. We're super excited for either pink or blue. After my ultrasound on Tuesday Abi asked: "Is the baby ok?" We've had to brace her for what possibilities there are. We were so thrilled to hear the heartbeat. She was excited to hear the baby is ok. She keeps asking me if it is still in there and ok.

Worst part of being pregnant this time around has been the house showings. Trying to clean while feeling so miserable has been one of my least favorite periods of time of my life.

I'm going back to Dr. Judd. It just feels right. I'm super excited. I LOVE his office. One of his nurses had even viewed our house. Yeah, we've had at least 20-30 showings. I'm excited for this phase to be over. I'm sure hoping we get to move in the next few months before I get super huge. We're just praying someday we'll get paychecks so our next move will be to a house instead of a teeny tiny apartment.