new header

Thank you Melissa for teaching me a new Photoshop skill! I am having way too much fun with it.

Here comes another...

Looks like we are sticking with the original plan...I will bring the cheerleaders if Hollie brings the football team. Mike and Hollie, you are well on your way to your very own football team and we couldn't be more excited or happy for you. We can't wait to meet this new little cousin! XOXO!!

Newest obsession

I have this thing* about putting nails in my walls. I am very selective about it. I guess that is why we have lived here for 5 years, but it looks like we just moved in. Last week I discovered the joy of using Command Picture Hanging strips. I have since hung 17 different things on my walls using them.

*this thing, I am sure, is my parents fault (but I love you anyway)

Family photos

I was so excited when this sweet family asked me to take their pictures! I hope that my girls grow up as nice as these kids (and I really do mean that you guys...) And aren't they so beautiful?? (For all you bloggers...this is Ines and her family.)

Well, here it is.

So, for a while now I have been looking for the just the right motivation, ok, any motivation to get up earlier to exercise. I am just one of those who can work out great all summer, but as soon as it starts staying dark when I am supposed to be awake...yeah, right. In the last few weeks I have enjoyed a few of my MOST favorite treats. I have decided that when it comes to things like this I would much rather work out than give them up.



This little beauty showed up at my house today...thank you, Brittany...as a belated birthday present. Every year all I ask for is a banana cream pie from Brittany. I have eaten almost 3/4 of it today (it's a must...bananas just don't keep ;)



This was another surprise that came just a few days ago. A good friend of mine...thank you again, Ines...just returned from a trip to her beloved homeland, Germany. I was lucky enough to get my very own German chocolate candy bar. I opened it on the wrong end...not taking advantage of the re-sealable side...turns out I didn't even need it. No "freshness" issues here...gone in 2 days.



And this delight...I ate weeks ago, but have probably thought about it every day since...thank you, Tom. Yes, Tom our male-chef-Sunday-School-President-Ward-Comedian friend baked us creme brulee and boy, was it divine.

So, here it is, the motivation I have been needing. If I am wearing sweats the next time you see me, gently ask how my working out is going...

Free photo book

Yesterday on Oprah Snapfish announced this offer...



It looks like you have to start the process by tomorrow night and finish by Sunday. I AM going to find some time to make one.

Pie

Krissy & I have been wanting to make an apple pie. I saw this Martha photo and it inspired me... Hopefully soon we will find some time to make our masterpiece! Anyone have a great chocolate cream pie recipe?? I would love to make one for Kyle...it would earn me some major brownie points.

Disneyland

We just returned from spending 7 days...yes, that's correct, 7 days at the Happiest Place on Earth. We had such a great time. At one point on our trip we had a group of 19...how is that for fun??? My two sisters, 2 of Kyle's brothers and their families joined us for an awesome Disney adventure. Kyle's Uncle Brandon even joined us for a day. Here are a few of my most memorable highlights:

* watching Krissy rip off her sweater so she could show Alice in Wonderland her matching dress as Alice passed by in the parade.

* going on Splash Mountain for the first time with Krissy, she ran off and said, "That was AWESOME!"

* watching Kyle take Krissy on Space Mountain for the first time. I thought she would hate it, but turns out I was so wrong. She couldn't get enough of any of the 'mountains'!

* Watching Kendall spin her guts out on the teacups, loving every minute of it!

* Helping Tiff try to locate her missing blood sugar monitor and insulin. After a quick prayer, we searched through the new Toy Story ride. Feeling like we had exhausted all options we turned to walk away, only to have a cast member chase after us with it, saying a guest had just turned it in. Aaahh. Thank goodness for truly magical moments.

* On our last night there Kyle took our exhausted girls back to the hotel and put them to bed, while Tiff and I ran around the park feeling like kids again. I literally felt like a kid in a candy store as I circled the glass counter trying to decide which treat to enjoy...I picked the chocolate dipped caramel marshmallow. It just may be my new tradition on the way out.

* Mike and Hollie left a few days before we did. After we said goodbye and turned to walk away I had tears swell up in my eyes. Somehow it is never long enough.

* Spending time with Cam, Shaunee, Shane, Kristy and their kiddos and having Tiff's extra set of hands to help us all! Let's do it again, really soon!