On My Wish List...

As you may have noticed from a few previous posts, in between being a stay at home mommy, taking pictures, making a quilt, and all the other stuff that everyday life throws at me, I am trying to revamp our whole house on a shoestring budget.  I don't know if it's even as big as a shoestring, really it more like the plastic piece on the end of the shoestring.  You know, the flugalbinder?  Ha ha, you all want to watch Cocktail now, don't you?

So on my flugalbinder budget, I have done pretty good, though it is taking a REALLY long time.  I don't mind though.  I've gotten pretty crafty with spray paint, thrift store finds, super clearance deals, and the sewing machine is trying to become my friend.  Well, not friend, but at least it's not my mortal enemy (today anyway).

I constantly keep my eyes open for things I can use, with my main focus right now being on the kitchen.  I am trying to lighten and brighten everything, and make everything more cottage-y.  In the kitchen I am going with aqua blue and white.  The aqua blue being inspired from my small collection of vintage blue mason jars, and white, just because my newest obsession is painting everything white.  This weekend I scored big time at Target.  I found some new cute towels in the perfect color, AND if that wasn't enough, some new turquoise measuring spoons and measuring cups...in the dollar section.

I should have stopped there with my thrifty finds, but I messed up.  I thought if I could find measuring cups and spoons in aqua, what else is out there?  So I made the mistake of logging onto the internet, and I found the new item on my longing for list.

  A Kitchenaid mixer in ICE BLUE.  Isn't it just beautiful?  Yep, it's also beautifully priced at $300.  My birthday is coming up in a few months.  Anybody?

Well, maybe someday.  In the meantime don't be surprised if I write a post about "How to Take Apart and Spray Paint Your Little, Old, White Mixer."  Just Kidding. Maybe.

Why is it...

When I am on the Internet trying to find new HEALTHY recipes to make for supper, I find an irresistible Peanut Butter Fudge recipe that I just happen to have all the ingredients on hand to make?

I did make it with skim milk.  That makes it healthy, right?

Here's the link to the recipe if anyone wants to try it.

Happy Anniversary to Us!!

Happy Anniversary, Honey!  It's been a wonderful 9 years!  Time definitely flies when you're having fun.  And thank you all for the annivesary cards we've already received!  I love mail! (Of the none bill variety, that is!) ; )   

We don't have any big plans for the day, being that it's a Tuesday.  I can't help but think that last year we were hanging out at the West Baden Springs Resort.
 
Here we are then.  We had to get a picture of ourselves with the hotel in the background.  Back in the day, it was the in vogue thing to do.

Ready?

Brennan LOVES to go anywhere in Daddy's truck.  We went for a drive Saturday afternoon.  Here he is all ready and waiting for us to get going.

Summer Fun

We're Still Here!

I know, I've been scarce for the last month.  We're still here, we've just been really busy!  We've done lots of travelling, and we've spent lots of time with Nana and Papaw.  They left for the Grand Canyon yesterday, so I should have time to get everyone caught up on our adventures during the past month. 

In addition to spending most of most computer on editing the tons of pictures we have been taking, my computer time has been limited even more in the last several days.  Brennan has decided that it's now cool to get up earlier than Mommy.  The hour that I used to have in the morning before he got up is now out the window. 

Now at just after 6:00 every morning, he gets up, slams his door, and is by the side of my bed telling me he's pee'd and demanding to go downstairs and get some juice.  It's a pretty rude awakening.

I think it's time for Brennan's room to get some room darkening shades.

And just because I hate to post anything without a picture.  He's one of the little man and one of the things he's been up to in the past few weeks.

 

Brennan Bal, Toddler Genius

So yesterday, we were driving down the interstate and all of the sudden Brennan is adamantly saying something that sounds like "Walmahht, Walmahht, Walmahht."  I look over to ask him "What?", and I see a truck like this out his window...

Genius.

That's my story, and I'm stickin' to it.

Friday Favorites - Down on the Farm

Last weekend we went to Salt Lake City to check out the Wheeler Historic Farm.  We had a great time, and I have tons of pictures to share.  I definitely recommend going there.  While we were walking around, Brennan decided to climb up on a bench up against the side of the barn.  I was able to get a great picture of him, and I even got eye contact!  That rarely ever happens anymore.  I am going to get some of these processed for sure.  They should make up for not getting a good two year picture.

Have a great weekend everyone!  Nana and Papaw will be here tomorrow.  Yay! 

I hope the weather gets better for them.  It's only 53 degrees and rainy today.  But on the bright side, it will be warmer than where they're at today.  I talked to them last night from Jackson's Hole, WY, and the weather report said temperatures in the 30s and snow!  Gotta love the mountains! 

Strawberry Love

Brennan loves strawberries.  And not just a little.  If we would let him, he would eat a whole gallon.  It was strawberry season when we were in Indiana, and he could snoop out the strawberries everywhere we went.  While we were there, Grandma Brenda made a couple of batches of shortcake strawberries.

Brennan was in heaven.  And as always, he was a big helper.


He pulled his chair right up so he could get a good look at how mixing up strawberries works.


"You keep mixing Grandma, I'll just have one."


"OK, maybe just one more."


That one must have been sour!


"That one looks just right!"


"I better get one more!"


"Who me?  I wasn't eating all the strawberries out of the bowl!"

Oh My.  I don't think the Utah growing season will be enough to supply this kid.  I wonder if I can grow strawberry plants in my laundry room.

Indiana Daisies

Some flowers I found down by the pond.

It's Potty Time!

Yesterday was Brennan's first day with his "big boy" undies on.  We had to go all out and get the Thomas the Train undies, of course.  The first part of the day went about how I expected.  We have 14 pairs of underwear, and we went through all but one pair before naptime.  During the morning hours, inevitably, we had a poop explosion.  I never realized that poop that normally just smells stinky in a diaper, smells absolutely atrocious when it's trailed through the kitchen, hallway, and all over the bathroom floor.  But after cleaning and sanitizing all of that mess, Brennan's nap (and a couple of loads of laundry set on HOT), Brennan kept clean and dry for the rest of the day.  We both definitely got our workouts in.  Poor Brennan asked to take a nap way before it was time.  All the running to the potty wore him out!

Shanny's Graduation

Some pictures from Shanntel's graduation. 


And it begins.  Here they are walking into the gym.


During the Ceremony


Receiving her diploma, of course that one had to turn out blurry.


After the ceremony, Shanny and one of her friends.


The Smiling Graduate


Shanny with Nana and Papaw


Shanny with me, Jason and Brennan


Shanny with Gary and Michelle


Shanny with Grandma Brenda


Shanny and Karen


Shanny and Andrew


Shanny with Harry and Grandma Brenda


Shanny with me and Jason


And, of course, one with the proud Dad.

The ceremony was nice, though where we were sitting we didn't get to see a whole lot.  Brennan behaved through the whole thing.  He liked to clap for everyone, so that helped keep him occupied.  Afterwards, Jason and I and Shanny met up with a couple of her friends at O'Charley's and we all had dinner together.  It was nice to hang out with Shan, and since Grandma Brenda took Brennan back to the house with her, it was kind of like a date for me and Jason. : )

Congratulations Shanntel!!  We're proud of you!

Tiger Lily Closeup

One of Shanny's graduation flowers.

Ready For Takeoff

Brennan did really well for his first time on an airplane.  That might have had something to do with him being allowed to eat more candy than he has in his entire life, but we made it, whatever bribes it took.

He was quite a responsible flyer, too.  Here he is going over all the safety instructions before the plane took off.

Getting Back Into the Swing of Things

Well, here we are, back in Utah.  We had a great trip, though of course, it went by way too fast.  Shanny's graduation party and graduation ceremony went well, and she loved her graduation present.  Our home improvement projects at Grandma Brenda's turned out great, even though they took a lot longer to complete than we guesstimated. 

We spent a lot of time at The Home Depot. 

I have lots of pictures to go through and share, but that will have to wait until later.  I have lots of catching up to do around here, going through the pile of mail, unpacking, menu planning. 

Plus, Brennan has a priority in mind as well.

We are out of cookies!!

I better get baking! :)

Rusty Old Truck

Another One From Antelope Island

I was going through some pictures I took back in February and never did anything with.  This one made me happy.

All That's Left is to CRAM Teddy in the Suitcase

Well, it's official, tomorrow's the big day.

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N....ahhhh!

The suitcases are packed (and then some).

The mail is on hold.

The house is scrubbed, dusted and vacummed.

All the laundry is done.

The refrigerator is clean.

The dishwasher is running as I type.

I got my email request to check-in for our flight online.

Now just to get through getting up at 3:30 in the morning, getting to the airport, and entertaining a toddler on two different flights with a two hour layover in between.

Oh yeah, and trying to find room for Teddy, the bear that Brennan hasn't slept without EVER.  If all else fails, he might just have to be my carry-on item. :)

See you all when we return.

Hugs,
Heather

A Double Rainbow

We saw this rainbow last night when we were in town.  It was so pretty!  It ended up turning into a full double rainbow before we got home.  I'm so glad we were able to see it. 

F is for...Friday, Funny Hats, Final Countdown and Football Shoes!

It's been a busy couple of days around here!  We've been gearing up and packing for our Indiana vacation, but of course we had to take a break for some fun.

Yesterday, Brennan and I went outside and played in the yard.  Here is the first video I took using my new camera. 



Here's a picture after a wardrobe change.  Brennan loves to wear hats, and I brought the hat basket out for him yesterday.  I think he has trouble choosing which one is his favorite.  I am definitely going to save this picture to show off during his teenage years!




And here is one of our finds from Target today.  They had all kinds of them in the "$" section.  I don't know who gets more amusement out of them, me or Brennan.  They give me the giggles every time he runs across the living room, so I think that would be me!




Now back to work!  I have some more packing to do, and I have to clear all the "non airplane friendly" stuff out of my purse.  Actually, since I had to do that anyway, I bought a new purse, so I just have to move the good stuff over.  (That's a good way to justify buying a new purse, right?) :)


Have a great weekend!

Hugs,
Heather