Baby Steps!

Before:

After:


When we moved in, our lawn was completely dead. We spent all day Saturday cutting out the old, weedy lawn, and prepping the dirt. Today we laid sod. Our neighbors helped us. How nice is that!?!? We were very impressed how willing they were to help us. I'm so excited with the results. Now we can actually walk on the lawn!

Finally got out on the lake!

It is sad to say that yesterday was our first time out on the lake this year, but we finally got there. The kids just LOVE it there. They've been begging us for days.

Look at my sexy husband skiing! Look at his spray!!! I'm very impressed. (Although, he has been complaining of how sore he is ever since yesterday). :)


Connelly was so brave! He skied for the first time with Dan. His little face was so proud of himself at the end. What a little studly boy!


Here is Dan's brother Mikey skiing too. Way to go brotha!


Mike and Jess met us down here to go and as always we had a blast! We wish they lived closer...hint hint! :)

Attention Cedar City Friends!!

Click on the image to enlarge.

My super talented, amazing, and beautiful sister in law is starting her own performing group for kids. It's a singing and dancing group. She's great and I know she'll do a great job. She was a member of Acclamation and has one of the most beautiful singing voices I've ever heard. She's had voice lessons galore and has the expertise to teach your kids GREAT skills and talents. Call her if you're interested! She is starting the group with Michelle Malie (you might know her too!). They are both power-houses in singing!

Pine Valley Sluggers

Dan and I play in a co ed softball league and we have an absolute blast. I remembered my camera tonight, but a few of our players weren't there. :( We really have fun laughing at each other every Wednesday. Fun times.

Are you noxious or nourishing?

A psychologist Carl Rogers classified everyone into two categories: noxious and nourishing. When it comes to relationships, noxious people are those that criticize you. They always point out the negative, and the danger in noxious relationships is that after time, you start believe the criticism. On the other hand, nourishing people point out the positive behavior, build you up, and reward you. These people aren't constantly tearing you down, and the great thing is in that after time, you start believing the positive things they say.

Are you noxious or nourishing in your relationships with others? This is what I got to teach my students today. How we communicate to those we love the most can be great but it can also be destructive. Something to really think about.

Lagoon!

We got to go to Lagoon last weekend, and the kids had a blast! We didn't take Londyn with us because we figured she would get tired and be ornery for the majority of the day. Aunt Bonnie tended her and Londyn seemed to have had a blast! She was so hyper when we went to pick her up! Thank you Bonnie for tending her! You're the best!

Oaklyn and Connelly had been saving in their Lagoon jar for a few months. It's so fun to see their excitement build as the jar climbs closer to the top!

Oaklyn's favorite ride this year was the Tidal Wave, and Connelly liked the new "China" ride.

Dave and Julie and Court and Liz came with us, and we had a great time!

The saving jar has now been transformed into a "pumpkin" saving jar! The kids are obsessed with pumpkins. I wonder where they get it...hmmmmm. Only 49 days til Halloween!

I started teaching at Dixie and things are going well with that. It's a lot of work, but I really enjoy it! Half the battle is getting up early enough to have Oaklyn's hair done and me there by 8:00 am. Early to bed, early to rise...if I could just get the "early to bed" figured out! :)

I have to tell a funny story about Oakers really fast. She got a flier for the Washington City Community center in her backpack yesterday. She honestly thought that meant we were going as soon as she got home from school. I tried to explain to her that it was just an advertisement. Well tonight in her prayers, she said something like this, "Please help us go to the Community Center. Please bless us to go there soon. I think my teacher meant for us to go there on...on...on...Monday." Can you tell she LOVES that place!


We had a funny little thing happen the other day with Londers too. We were at Red Robin for the kid's birthdays and Londyn decides to throw up all over the place. I know you may not believe me, but she throws up on purpose. She did it the week before at Texas Roadhouse. She has done it since she was a baby. For example if she doesn't want to get in bed, she throws up, or if she doesn't want to get in the high chair, she throws up. IT IS SOOOO FRUSTRATING.

Well, I tried to get her into the high chair, and she barfed all over the place. (It happened right when we got there too!) I was so embarrassed, but I'm not kidding, within 30 seconds, there were 3 waiters there handing me washcloths, a garbage can to throw away the napkins, a new Red Robin shirt to put on her..etc. I was so impressed! They even let her keep the t-shirt. (Dan said he wants to throw up next time just to get the t-shirt!) Two thumbs up from me to the St. George Red Robin!

All Things Thrifty Button

Kallie and I have had so much fun launching http://www.allthingsthrifty.com/. We have had a lot of feedback, and we love sharing our ideas for thrifty decorating.

To get the word out about the site, I've added a "grab our button" option to my blog. We would love any help to get the word out, and simply adding the button to your blog would help a lot. So feel free to add our button to your blog (if you want). :)

Thank you for all the nice things you have all said about the site so far!

New Pictures...

Over the past few weeks, I snapped a few pictures of all three kids. (It's a record.)
I thought I'd share how cute they turned out!

Birthdays Galore!

August is a large birthday month for our family! Connelly turned five on Thursday and Oaklyn turned six on Saturday! We had two parties for the first time this year. It was a little chaotic, but it was fun to celebrate their parties separately. Connelly had a pirate party, and Oaklyn had a girly pinkalicious party.


Here's Oakers opening presents Saturday morning.


Here are the two cutest cakes I've ever seen. My sister in law Jessica made them for us. Isn't she so talented!!??! I absolutely loved them. I got to take some pictures of her new little one Gracie, and this is one of them. Oh my gosh she's cute! It's so fun that my two new nieces will have so much in common and I'm sure they'll grow up to be great friends some day!


Here are the "glamor shots" we took of the girls at Oak's party! With the help of several sweet friends and family, we did each girl's hair, make-up, and nails. Then I took their pictures. :) (Thanks Natasha for your sweet lights).


Short on time, but wanted to post a few pics of the crazy weekend.

My beautiful niece, started teaching...my b-day.

I started teaching at Dixie yesterday, and I'm really excited. It might take me a few weeks to adjust to the new schedule, but that's ok. I have to be at Dixie by 8 am. What was I thinking!?!? Ha ha...I'll be fine. :)

We got to go up to Salt Lake this last weekend to spend a little time with Dan's friends at a bbq and we had a blast. (Sorry no pics...forgot the cam cam). While we were up there, I got to take some pictures of Ayla (Chris and Staci's baby). She is absolutely adorable.

Last week I turned 28. I honestly forgot how old I was turning. How embarrassing is that!?!?! I had to do the math 2009-1981...ha ha 28. I couldn't remember! I had a fun day. My cute hubby took me out to lunch (and even found a sitter) to the new Brick Oven in St. George. It was really yummy. (Thank you for tending, Amber!) Then, I was lucky enough to have Bunko night on my birthday! My cute friends got me a gift card to Tai Pan! How awesome huh! I wish I had some pictures, but I'm not sure where my little camera is at the moment.

The post Dan wrote about me cracked me up because I remember that day like it was yesterday. That was so funny when he forgot my birthday. I was surprisingly nice to him about that!

Other than that I'm staying busy (is there a better word...BUSY in all caps might be a little better description). All things thrifty is so much fun. We have had a lot of feedback and a lot of people like it. That's always fun...to be involved in something that a lot of people like! Please spread the word to your friends (if you want) :).

Dan is staying busy and I get to help him out in the office a few times a week, so that's fun to go and see him. The kids really miss him now that we don't live right through the wall anymore.

Well, I'd better go jump in the shower...since it is 1:30 in the afternoon!

Happy Birthday Brooke!

Happy Birthday to Brooke! I know this is my first post in who knows how long... but I couldn't pass up the chance to tell everyone what a wonderful, amazing, talented, beautiful, smart wife I have. For those of you who don't know, six years ago today, I forgot her birthday. She was 9 months pregnant with Oaklyn, and it was the week before school started. That year I was in Student Gov. at SUU and Brooke was on Pres. Ambassadors. We both had separate retreats the whole week and had hardly seen each other. Well on that day, I got up early and left, and it didn't even cross my mind that it was her birthday. In fact we ran into each other in the Student Center and talked a few minutes and I said nothing. Brooke says this is when she knew I had forgotten. So later that day, Liz went out and bought a Happy Birthday banner and balloons and decorated our apartment. When Jordon and I got home, this is the best part, I walked through the door and said, "who's birthday is it". I know, I know... and she was 9 months prego! Anyway, needless to say she forgave me and every year without a doubt, at least 5 people remind me the day before not to forget her b-day. So HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Thanks for being my best friend and being the best mom in the world. I look up to you in so many ways you will never know. Marrying you was the best decision I have and will ever make in my life. I don't think you ever give yourself enough credit on how talented you are and realize how many people turn to you for everything. That says a lot in itself. You are such a good mom to our kids, and they love you so much. Sometimes I wonder how you do it all? I hope you have a great day because you deserve it! Love you, Dan.

New Moon Trailer!

The latest and greatest of the "crazy lady"

I have to admit, I feel a little CRAZY lately with everything going on, but that's just life around here. It doesn't seem like a normal week if I'm not a stress case!



Londyn is officially a water LOVER...she hopped into the bucket at the primary water party. (It was supposed to be the bucket the kids filled their water guns in)...ummmm she thought it was her personal swimming pool. Oaklyn was being shy, but Connelly had a blast.


Oaklyn is growing up so fast. Doesn't she look so grown up in these pictures. I HAVE A FIRST GRADER...WoW.

I am officially a prOcRASTINAtor. Ok if you know me well, you know that I work best under pressure. But, I now officially have about 10 days before I start teaching at Dixie College (2 classes), and I am NOT even close to being ready. What a slacker I am. (I am REALLY excited though) I guess I got a Master's degree, why not use it right?

My cute little niece Gracie got released from the NICU on Sunday. I'm so happy she has done so well. What's up with having NICU babies in my family? AYLA, GRACIE, WYATT, and KAITLYN. It makes me VERY grateful for modern medicine.

I just need to say something quickly...I LOVE GREAT FRIENDS...who care about each other. (ok...you know who you all are I hope).

During the chaos I started my new "thrifty" blog and I think people really like it. Everyone who has talked to me about it has nothing but great things to say. That makes me feel good.

My photography has started to pick up a bit, and that also makes me feel good. If you haven't been on my photo blog lately, check it out. I've been lucky to take some darling pictures lately.

I also got a new calling. I'm the Stake Sports information specialist. I'm excited.

Oh, and along that same subject, Dan and I are going to be playing on a co-ed softball team. That might be interesting, but honestly I am REALLY excited. I loved to play "back when" so hopefully the skills will come back...will they?? Is it like riding a bike...I doubt it. lol.

A few things I'm toggling with: Should I get a mini van? (Something about pushing a button and doors open and shut is VERY tempting). Should I go private on my blog? Give me your opinion.

In case you are wondering...only 78 days before HALLOWEEN!

Crazy lady...OUT.

Another room completed.

I can't decide if I should paint this room, so I'm going to leave it for a few weeks and decide. I'm having a struggle with what color I should paint it. I'm having a BLAST decorating though...I'm sure you're all surprised at that.

We decided to put the two girls together at the new house since they were already accustomed to being in the same room. I don't think it hurts them to share. I think it turned out so cute. The dot rugs are my favorite! Gotta love IKEA!

Random I know, but I wanted to show this pretty sunset that happened the other day. I love that Dan is bending over in the picture. :)

Did you think I stopped couponing?

I FINALLY did the Alberston's deal today. I've been meaning to go for days, but I couldn't bring myself to fight the kids alone. :) SO....here is what I got. (I missed out on a few deals because they were out, but I still got some SWEET prices).

I spent right around $20.00 and saved $98.00. YES $98.00. WOOT WOOT!