If at first you don't succeed...

go out and buy all the ingredients again and make another big mess to clean up? Oh well, I guess sometimes that is what it takes. My mom and Brittany have both recently made freezer jam. I have been inspired to do the same...another first for me. Yesterday I ran to 3 different stores gathering all the supplies I needed to make my first batch of strawberry freezer jam. I started last night at about 9:30 and I thought it went so well...that is until this morning when I woke up. I realized that I had doubled the strawberries and the sugar, but FORGOT to double the water and pectin. AAAaahhh! My double batch of jam will now be considered my year's supply of pancake/ice cream topping. So, this morning I ran out and grabbed the supplies again and made what I think will be a real batch of jam...we will see 24 hours from now. If any of you happen to prefer runny freezer jam, let me know, I would be more than happy to share! For me this is another right of passage...I can now make bread AND jam. I think I might be turning into a real homemaker!

Memorial Day BBQ

Tonight we went to Erik & Britt's for an Adams/Brammer family Memorial Day BBQ. We had such a fun time. It is great to be friends with your in-laws in-laws. Amazing how it works, but we all really seem like one big family! Thanks again for a great time! It was the perfect way to finish up our extra-long, but somehow never long enough, weekend!

My crazy family!

Tonight we had my family over to celebrate Krissy's birthday (I believe this will be the last of the celebrations for this year...) Be sure and check out my goofball sister in the pink shirt...HOLLIE. I thought it would be hard to get the kids to all cooperate, but that turned out to be the least of my worries! Really, we had a great time! I love ya'll!

The best kind of fun!

On Saturday night we went to Brick Oven with Kyle's parents to celebrate Krissy's birthday. We had a great time chatting and getting caught up. We were also lucky enough to run into the entire Kendall family (some friends of ours) who were there for a family reunion. It was so great to see them! Afterward we met up with Mike & Hollie at Cougar Stadium. This was totally spontaneous and sooo fun. We let the kids run around the stadium. They rolled down the grass hills while we goofed off and had a great time. When we got in the cars to go home we decided we hadn't had enough fun yet so we headed up to the Creamery on 9th for some ice cream. I love days like this that are carefree & spontaneous! (Okay, at least after the party it was carefree and spontaneous!)

Four already!

Happy, happy birthday Krissy dear! I can't believe she is 4 already! She is such a fun, spunky kid. I am so proud of her. Today we had such a great time with her cousins and friends at her dress-up birthday party. It was our first real birthday party with invitations, kids, pin-the-tail-on-the-donkey & goodie bags. She got so many fun presents that she has been playing with all afternoon! We feel lucky (yet again) to have so many special people in our lives. Now we are off for another party tonight...and of course we will be having another tomorrow! (Thanks to Melissa for helping with the photos. Every party should have at least 2 photographers, right?)

A few of my favorites!

Aquaphor
My most essential beauty item these days...sorry Bath and Body Works, I guess I have moved on! My dermatologist recommended this stuff when I was trying to get over my lip allergy...still don't know what I am allergic to for sure...but I love this! I use it in place of lip gloss and anywhere else I get dry skin. They now sell it in travel size tubes, so perfect for the purse! Kyle carries one with him too. It is one product we can't be without.

Cover Girl Lash Blast Mascara
Brittany suggested this a few months ago during a trip to Target. It had been recommended by a friend of hers. I love it! I am on my third tube! (And I do have very sensitive eyes.)

Bag Balm
Yes, it is what is sounds like. It is used for the treatment of cows...and other animals. Anything the Aquphor won't fix gets Bag Balm. It was recommended by our Pediatrician when Kendall was having horrible diaper rash. It is great for ultra-dry spots!

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant
I have been using this for a while now and I love it! One great feature is that you can apply it the night before and then you don't have to put it on in the morning. It works for 24 hours. Perfect for those days you don't want to worry about getting deodorant on your shirt. Apparently it is the deodorant that is made for a woman, but strong enough for a man...at least Kyle thinks so. It happens to be his favorite as well!

Congrats Chase & Lindsey...the newest Mr. & Mrs. Brammer

Here are some of my favorite pics from Chase & Lindsey's garden reception. These Brammers definitely know how to throw a party...and in such a beautiful location (which happens to be the groom's parents backyard). Thanks for allowing me to take some photos tonight. I had such a great time with you all.

Today

Today Kendall woke up at 6:00. I took advantage and went for a quick early morning jog outside.

Today Kendall destroyed the cushion on my rocking chair. I am trying to look at it as expressive, modern art.

Today Krissy said, "Mom, Kendall dropped the remote in the tub!" Of course it sunk right to the bottom. No, it isn't working.

Today Kendall wore piggy tales for the first time! So, so cute & fun.

Today I am feeling my sunburn because I didn't wear enough sunscreen yesterday. (Note to self...wear more sunscreen.)

Today we went to Gardner Village with Michelle and Elle. It definitely was the bright spot of the day.

Today I bought myself a new pair of shoes for summer!

Today Krissy played with her chewing gum and got it all over her hands, face & shirt. Of course this all happened while I was trying to get Kendall to take a nap.

Today Kendall enjoyed one of her favorite, but forbidden, treats...chalk. I quickly fished out as much as I could...much to her dismay.

Today Krissy got a new book, Fancy Nancy, that has quickly become our new favorite!

Today Kendall is working on getting 4-5 new teeth. I can't tell for sure how many. No wonder she is a bit cranky!

Today I am wishing I had paid the bills yesterday, but thinkin' I will put it off again until tomorrow.

Today I picked up some of Kendall's mac & cheese off of the carpet...and can you believe I ate it because I was too lazy to take it to the sink or the garbage. Pathetic!

Today I am dying to make another batch of bread...it would be my fourth or fifth this week, I have lost track. I guess it is my new therapy.

Today I can't wait for Kyle to get home from work..with my cooked-to-order dinner from Rumbi.

Today I am sooooo thankful it is Friday.

A taste of summer!

Today my great friend Melissa invited us to go to Thanksgiving Point Gardens. We loaded up our kids and our cameras and had a fun taste of summer...sunscreen and all! The kids had such a great time running, exploring, splashing & playing. We had a great time experimenting with our new cameras. Thanks for inviting us to go along Melissa!

Our friends at QuicKutz

I feel like the biggest part of our life that I have yet to blog about is work. Most of the time I am working on top-secret stuff I can't mention...(sounds kind of glamourous, huh?) We have both worked for QuicKutz for the last 5+ years and enjoyed (almost) every minute of it. Tonight we enjoyed dinner at The Cheesecake Factory, courtesy of QuicKutz, with the Sales & Marketing teams. We really do work with the most amazing people. It is so great to work with people you call your friends. Thanks QuicKutz for the great food, the enjoyable evening & introducing us to some very special people!