No Words.

This was my Christmas gift from my brother. I have no words to describe how perfect, beautiful, detailed, and amazing this is. (okay maybe I do) It captures everything about my son the colors, skin tones, hair color, eyes, just amazing! I opened it and just lost it, I couldn't talk just sobbed. Brandon is so SO talented, he worked so incredibly hard on this and I don't even know where he found the time to do it. Between all of his classes, website building, painting, sketches...etc, etc.. He did this amazing piece! I cannot stop staring at it. I found it's perfect home, in my bedroom across from my bed. I wake up to it and am just in awe everytime. This will be such a treasure to our family. I still cannot believe how lucky I am to have such an amazing brother and for him to give me such a piece of him.
Thank you a million times over...No words.

The Big Guy...

Every year we take Brayden to see the Big Man, and have breakfast. Each time it gets more fun! I have been talking to him about not being "shy" with Santa and that he needed to tell him what he wanted...Brayden is pretty shy around people sometimes, which is ok...Rest assured I know he WILL NOT talk to strangers! All week he told me, "Mom, I won't alright..I will talk."

What do you think happened? :) Still our shy little man but in total awe of Santa, of course he was a million questions when we got in the car..."Where are his reindeer? Is this the North Pole? Why does Santa come here? Is this his house?Why can't I see his sleigh? Does it land on the roof? Is Santa going away soon? Why? How does he get down our chimney? Is it magic?"

I cherish all of these little intelligent questions, this is always something I will look forward to.

He just kept staring, and staring...with the fork straight up in the air....



Afterwards, we built a gingerbread house...Well, Brady did! Yes, Brady...doesn't it look awesome?! Way better then I could do, Brayden's cute friend Izzie gave this to him and he had a blast "building" Thanks Iz!

Cozy Christmas.

Happy Holidays...

Love the holiday season, I look forward to decorating my home putting up the tree and making everything feel warm and cozy.

Hot Chocolate by the fire anyone?

These chairs are the latest addition to my table. Love this fabric, it's a script pattern with a darling texture. They are super comfortable, adds height and softens the look of all the wood side chairs. Just couldn't resist these little cuties...Aghh, the guilty pleasure of furniture.

Grateful.

I am so overwhelmed by all the blessings that I have. I don't even know where to begin. First off, I am so grateful for the opportunity to be a Mommy, I have such an angel child. Brayden is the light of my life and has taught me so much, I love him more than words can explain. My mom always told me, "When you have your own children, you will understand." And now I do, that deep love that you cannot describe. He melts my heart everyday, and makes me tear up just thinking of how precious he is to me. My Brayden boy...
So thankful for my family, a loving supportive husband that means the world to me. I am grateful for his constant efforts to give our family all of the needs and comforts that we enjoy. He is such a great daddy and a good husband. Love you with all my heart!

Wonderful parents that have taught us so well, they are all tremendous examples and a blessing beyond measure. Thank you for being who you are.

Sometimes I wonder why am I so blessed? I feel that I have so so much. I recognize and acknowledge ALL that I have and I am extremely grateful.

Today I was thinking of Thanksgiving, the big dinner, pies, and family. And my thoughts went back to my wonderful Granny and Pop-Pop. What a wonderful time thanksgiving was. They are always in my thoughts, but this holiday season I am so emotional about how much they gave, how much I love and miss them! I was polishing my Granny's beautiful dining table that I was so lucky to inherit, and it hit me all the dinners that we gathered around this table and shared laughter, traditional family toasts and phenomenal food. My Pop-pop always joking and carving the perfect turkey Granny slaved over, or slapping another giant heap of mashed potatoes on your plate when you think that you were going to BURST! I always remember him saying,"Now, we have a lot of time to eat, so sit down, enjoy and take your time, no one is leaving for a long time." And my Granny would be on the other end of the table saying, "Bob, just let them eat what they want."

The table was always set with such flare, beautiful in everyway...Granny cooked like a gourmet chief, looked like a bombshell while doing it, basting the turkey in the oven yes, in heels :) setting out appetizers making sure everything was perfect. And I do have to laugh because I always will remember the "boxed" wine by the kitchen sink....it is a precious, fun memory to me and reminds me of what grand people they were. They loved to have a good time. I love them with all my heart and miss them, but I know that my Gran will be cooking another wonderful dinner for my pop-pop and that they are so happy together.

Have a Wonderful Thanksgiving Everyone. Be grateful.

Nursery=Check!

InspirationFinal Product.

Here is the final product. It was a lot of fun to do, and we are so excited for our little guy!

Nanananana-Nananana-BATMAN!!

Oh yes, Happy Halloween from the BATMAN! We had a great Halloween and Brayden was a total hoot in his batman outfit. Yes, he did stay in character when he was in the suit, jumping off of porches, flying from house to house, and showing off his sweet fighting moves...

We had our tradition of the family over for hot soup and salad, followed by yummy pumpkin cake. Which was fitting for the chilly, wet night.

Brayden made a haul with the candy and is already looking forward to next year!

Happy Halloween...

"Stay"Cation

Park City,Ut-We just got back from a fabulous stay-cation! Good family time, great weather, gorgeous setting and time to just relax. Brady had a work conference up in there so he booked us a little retreat for our fam. Complete with a massage for me :) much needed for the prego wifey. Brayden had a great time, swimming and staying for a "sleepover" in the Hotel. We stayed at the Canyon Resort, it was so pretty the leaves were vibrant and it actually felt like Fall up there. We enjoyed walking up and down Main Street looking in all the fun shops. Brady also took me to the St. Regis Hotel in Deer Valley......okay~STUNNING! The hotel is clear up on the mountain and you have to take a gondola to get there, or in Brayden words a roller coaster. This place is beautiful. Antiques, rich carpets and walpaper, dramatic draperies, yummy furniture, the lighting fixtures were a works of art, all of it was over the top. I of course had to snap a few pictures and they do not do them justice ~But if you have the opportunity to go and see this place it is a must! Brady is so thoughtful, he knew that I would just eat it up, lots of eye candy! Needless to say it was a fantastic time....and he even bought me a delicious carmeled apple from Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory, what more could a pregnant gal want?! :)

Thanks Babe...

Inspired.

Finally, Inspired. This is what I am thinking for the nursery. It is still a work in progress, but hopefully you get the idea. Most of you have heard of this site Polyvore, it is a fashion/design site that allows you to create "sets" or boards of your ideas and inspiration. It was really helpful to put all of my ideas together in one picture so that I could see the semi-finished product. They have anything and everything you can think of. But let me warn you, it is a total time waster!!! :) This reminded me of doing design boards, they were a lot of work but I do miss doing them. So the room is cleared and ready for paint! I will post the real pictures when "Project Nursery" is complete. Getting excited for our little guy!
P.S. the "G" is for Greyson...were pretty sure on the name!

It's A.......

B-O-Y! oh boy, oh boy!! We are so excited...Here is the first picture of the little guy. We found out this morning and I still cannot stop smiling :) I am thrilled that Brayden will have a little buddy. We told him that he would have a baby brother soon and right away he said, "I will take him on motorcycle rides with me, I will drive and he can sit on the back" (so Brayden...)

I have to admit that I have not been that motivated to do a nursery, I don't know why, that is just not like me. But NOW~I am back baby,

LET THE PLANNING BEGIN....

L'Hotel de Coop.

Yes. That is right the Hotel for our chickens is completed. It is everything I would dream of if I were a chicken. Individual "rooms", lovely arched windows, cedar shingles, lots of fresh air, and walnut hand-planed floors (which frankly, I am kinda jealous of )

They all seem to be loving there new home. They fly up on the roof, run up and down the ramp, just come and go as they please. Brayden likes that the chickens have there own "house" now too. He is so funny, he makes sure that the chick's have lots of food and water. Oh, and that they get played with everyday too.

They are sweet little things, when you go outside they all come running up to you as if they are saying "Hello, were so glad that you are home."

Such the life as a chicken....

One day this will go by our garden which I cannot wait for....

Guess we are all about the Urban Farmin'

Mirror.Mirror.

While I was leisurely browsing at one of my favorite consignment shops I stumbled upon this darling red frame, I had been thinking of some ideas for my hall bath mirror. Instead of getting an entire new mirror I thought it would be different to mount this right on top.
I know, call me crazy! I do and think of some strange things sometimes but it is fun to see something out of the ordinary...

So Not Martha...

So for most of you I know that you would be posting a picture of a beautiful finished baked goodie...Well my friends, this morning I attemped to make made from scratch cupcakes and this was the end result.

I thought it was pretty funny, in fact 15 min. into the baking process I carefully opened my oven door to check on these little sweeties and the next thing I knew my jaw dropped and I just laughed out loud! I could not believe my eyes, flat as pancakes!! And as I continued to watch the rest of the cupcakes they just kept falling in one by one....I have to admit, it made me laugh!

So~for the most part I can bake but this time.....It was SO NOT MARTHA!

Hard work is his Middle Name.

Yes, Hardwork is the name. I just wanted to let my husband know how very much I appreciate ALL of the hard work he has done for our family. With the purchase of our new home, along came a large yard to put in as well. Brady has been extremely diligent coming home from a very long hot work day, helping customers, solving problems, driving around in traffic for hours, landing a HUGE account at work. All to come home, to work in the sweltering heat, digging, laying pipe for sprinklers, tilling, and making sure everything works properly. And as if he didn't have enough to deal with, the car he drives to work is currently on the fritz. So in between the yard, work, being a hubby and daddy, he gets to play mechanic on the car!

Oh yeah and I forgot to mention he is building a "hotel" for our chickens too..Every single night he has a project lined up for him. He does not complain, or procrastinate, he just DOES.

I am forever grateful for him and that he is willing to work so very hard to provide the very best for our family. Lately I have been amazed at Brady and his focus of getting all of these things in order. Love you babe!

Up, up, up..

While I was blog hopping I came across these great pictures of some darling staircases...Would be so happy climbing these EVERYDAY...This one is my favorite! Dontcha love it?!

Up, up, up and away...

Good Laugh.

So the gals at work showed me this HILARIOUS website...

Of course I think it is so funny because it makes fun of everything that I LOVE!!!!!

The statements are so creative, now I will think of this everytime I pick up a Pottery Barn catalog. If you love design and good fun comedy check out this site...It is a good laugh!

Keep your hobbies to yourself…

Gary, we were having such a lovely afternoon with the Andersons until you decided you just had to show off your string ball.

http://catalogliving.tumblr.com/

GORGE-ous!

Well, we are back from our yearly tradition of family fun at Flaming Gorge. It was GORGEOUS!! We had such a blast, and Brayden had SO much fun. I think it is more fun every year with him, he is ALL boy. Just loves camping and boating. I am a little disappointed this year with myself, I did not take that many pictures. But~we will be heading back in August so hopefully I will be a little more camera friendly :)...Thank you to our sweet family, Gordon and Kelly for the great time that we had!!

Half asleep still wanting to drive the boat!Stunning cliffs in Horseshoe Canyon

Sisters..

We stopped in Evanston and bought fireworks :) They were SO much fun to see!!

Gordon shooting a rocket off of a shovel into the lake... ha, love it

Hunting for "crabs" with Uncle Curtis..

Finally crashed after many busy days!!! Can't wait to go back....