Christmas pictures

Recycled Christmas Present - Puppet Stand

we got this playhouse for my daughter's 5th birthday. about one month after we had it, a HUGE wind storm picked it up and threw it against our vinyl fence. because we were still under the 90 day warranty, we called. they shipped new pieces to fix it. problem. wrong pieces. so, we called. they shipped new pieces. problem. wrong size. called again. shipped correct pieces.

what to do with the "wrong pieces" that they didn't want back?

well, while on one of my many trips to costco, i found the CUTEST hand puppets. i bought 4 packs of them.

and then, it hit me. i knew what to do with the extra wood. now hubby had a job to do!



















































i am so HAPPY with how it turned out.

our out-of-pocket expenses:

roof: $18
curtains: $8
lights : $24 (battery operated LED. don't get too hot. i know an electrician who recommended them...my dad!)
puppets: 4 packs at $7.99 each = $32

ho ho ho! merry christmas!

p.s. - now the key is keeping the kids out of our 3rd garage so they don't get a sneak peek.

"mom, is dinner done yet?"

"i'm tired of waiting!"

literally!

question?

what does a mermaid, baby cheetah, and a confused superhero* with a wedgey have in common?



















the three cutest trick-r-treaters in the area.

*buddy wanted to be batman. got a costume. the night of...he decides (or rather insists) he wants to wear his spiderman costume with the batman mask. only problem, that costume was his TWO years ago. needless to say, it came to his knees and elbows. so, for that night, i was one of THOSE moms.

p.s. - got great pictures of bud in his costume. placed the wedgy ones in a special place to "encourage" him with later on in life!

Cinnabun Pancakes

i made these for my family last Sunday morning for breakfast.

they will definitely be added to our breakfast favorites.

recipe can be found on How Does She?

p.s. - i highly recommend the syrup from the recipe!

tallie 4 month pics

i am surprised i was able to get these pictures.
she HATES her belly.

love this girl.
she gets cuter every day!

don't normally do this....

....but....

i love these temple pictures.

go here to learn how to win one.

p.s. - you even get to pick which temple picture you want if you win!

p.s.s. - comes framed in a gorgeous custom built black frame.

p.s.s.s - size: 16 x 20

p.s.s.s.s. - (i know...enough....just one more thing) great christmas gifts!

zucchini cupcakes

my bestest friend kassie brought me some MORE delicious zucchini from her garden.

the reason she is my bestest friend is because she brought me a recipe.

thank you so much for introducing these in to my life!

hint: caramel frosting!

recipe here.

??????????

i am still here.

just drowning in laundry, dishes, dusting, vacuuming, preschool, kindergarten, photography, crafting, to-do lists, christmas planning/shopping (don't poke fun...want to be done by thanksgiving), budgeting, and cooking (sometimes).

check back later for a project update. i have a few i will post.

Dream Fairy

that's what she calls herself.

apparently at night she goes around and "ZAPS" people with good dreams.

i am so glad that i now know that when i all of a sudden jolt in bed...i am being zapped with a good dream.

this is the..."do you really have to take a picture of EVERYTHING i do?"

the answer is yes. sweet dreams.

summer adventure

our biggest summer adventure was welcoming our precious baby to our family.
but, we decided to do something fun with the kids.
so, we ventured to the salt lake area.
we had a bunch of fun things planned, then had the bright idea to ask the kids what THEY wanted to do.
their reply....swim at the hotel.
so, we bagged all the other ideas (that would have cost money) and did just that...
...stayed in a hotel...just so we could swimming.
but, we were able to do a few other fun things too.

1. swam at the hotel

and splashed

and talked

then, we had a talent water show.
whoever could do the coolest trick...won.

you decide the winner:

maycie learned that she could put her head...aka...her face in the water by holding her breath.

and daddy...did an underwater "hand sanitizer" as buddy called it.

(note: proof baby was on this vacation...upper right corner)

i think we called it a tie.

okay...i know you are all wondering what my trick was.
stayed tuned for the next summer olympics! =)

buddy took a few huge leaps and warmed up to being in the water.

2. ate at the Mayan.

3. saw toy story 3

4. visited temple square

buddy disappointed because he thought we were going INSIDE the temple.

princess just wanted to see jesus.

5. went to a parade

6. went to a rodeo

7. ate a greasy rodeo burger (hubby's favorites...weird...we know)

8. played on the beach at bear lake

8. dug for treasure

9. went fishing

crazy...but we caught the same fish every time!

10. visited the soda geyser

11. played boxers and briefs and busted a gut!

12. saw all of our family and cousins that live far away.

13. made it home with three exhausted kiddos that slept the whole next day!