Ready.Set.PAINT!

I finally finished up a couple of painting projects around the house. The kitchen was really bothering me...it just looked washed out. I had always intended on painting but never got around to it. Now, it's FINALLY done.

Yes, still drawn to the dark colors. Yes, still love them.

I also hung my lantern above the island.  I love this "little" accessory. I was lucky enough to get it at The Black Goose. The best furniture and accessories in Utah!:)

Done.Check.

Now onto the Master Bath.  I painted the main bath a while ago, but the little "potty room" was driving me insane! It is the first thing you see as you walk in so I wanted something eye catching. At first I thought a fun mustard color, and I really wanted to do a trellis pattern on the wall, but come on....I was scared to even attempt it. And if I did, it probably would turn out to be the biggest nightmare...

No worries though, I still want to do this pattern in my bedroom. Eeeekkk, we shall see.

So...I ended up striping it. Yep, hopped on the striped train.

Finished it up with a grouping of some frames that I painted cream.

I also found this cute little matchstick front door. It was so charming and detailed, had to have that! Painted it :) and gave it a little glazing.

Done.Check.

Now.......onto my next project! Hmmm, what will it be?

Oh My Baby.

Oh My Baby.

This picture melts my heart...Greyson fell asleep on dad

Tummy down. Lips puckered. Looking like an angel.

Look at those cheeks and lips!

Where has this year gone?

Seriously.

My sweet Greyson boy is almost one year old. One YEAR!

Just within the last few weeks I have noticed quite the personality. He is extremely curious. Wants to know where 'brother' is at all times. It's funny, when we get in the car, Greyson always sits up in his seat and looks over to see when Brayden will be hopping into the car. And when they make eye contact..they both smile and laugh. He is such a joy. Yes, he is a Momma's boy...boy oh boy! But that is perfectly fine with me :)

He has the most deep almond chocolate lovable eyes you will ever see. And has a few teeth, but still prefers the straight across, sealed lip smile with those adorable chubby little cheeks.

ewww......just want to love on 'em.

Greyson wants to do everything that big brother wants to do. He wants nothing really to do with his toys.

 He wants the big cool stuff Brayden has. Which I think is pretty normal. Right?!

They play good together and I can see already that they will be the very best of buddies.

Brayden already has told me a few "plans" for Greyson when he "gets to be big".

Greyson loves LOVES bathtime...well, water in general. Bathtime is a hoot at our house!

One night Brady got him out of the bath, all dressed and ready but Brayden was still in...

This determined little bug crawled as fast as he could pulled himself over the side of the tub, and

SPLASH...clothes and all..he just sat up, look at us and smiled. :)

He also has lighting fast hands. Seriously, I have never seen anything like it.

He is like a snake ready to strike, and just.............................SNATCH!!

In no joke, a second I can have anything spilled or on the floor just like that.
We are so very close to walking now. He loves to Stand.  He thinks it's pretty "neat-o" too.
He will stand so big, look around, make sure everyone is watching..then, KURPLUNK!
back down he goes.  It won't be long until I am in REAL trouble.

 My boys. My sweet, perfect, boys. I love them with every fiber of my being.

Children are a gift. There is a spirit about them.

Innocent, pure, sweet, loving, honest and all they want to give is love.

Brayden and I have this joke...I ask

"Brayden, How much does mommy love you?"

Brayden stretches out his little arms, fingers spread wide, and a strenuous silly grin on his face...

Brayden: "This much mommy..."

Me: "More than that!!"

Brayden again tries to outdo his first stretch, but this time he involves legs..almost does the middle splits.

Brayden: "Is it this much?"

Me: "That is A LOT!! Yes, I do love you that much...even more then even Daddy could stretch and even more then anything on this earth could stretch!"

Brayden stops, looks at me.

"Wow, that IS a lot huh mom? :)

Makes me smile every single time.

My boys are my life.

I am grateful I am there Mother and get to be with them to see all the little

stuff they do to make our family smile.

Mmmwah...love you Moop and Meep! :)

Is it Christmas? This Day?

 

This is what I have been hearing the last few days.

Brayden is so so excited for Christmas. The past few mornings he asks..

"Is it Christmas? This Day?"

Sooooo....to help with the countdown. Brayden and I made a

Christmas Countdown Chain

Now everyday he gets to pull off a chain and count.

He worked very hard on it, and you can see it in his little expressions.

Puckered lips, tongue out, intense stare.

I will forever remember his little face...working so hard at all he does.



I Spy.

I spy with my little eye...

Last week I meandered down to the Gateway..A rare treat!

And of course a must-stop...Anthropologie was calling my name.

I saw this and HAD to have it. I even whispered this to myself at the store when I saw it.

(It was a little embarrassing, hope no one noticed)

These little trinkets in life make me happy. I could not tell you why, they just do.

And look...

Colored.

 Heee.SO CUTE.

I also saw this little guy.

Meandering at....Harmons!

Ha. I love Harmons. He just was so darn cute. And Christmasy!!

Cheers to the little things we "spy"

Gobble.Gobble.

What another great Thanksgiving we had! We have so very much to be thankful for. We are so SO blessed, all that we have, our great family, and to be able to be together to share and give gratitude and thanks.

This year we went to my mom's. It was super delish as always! Table was set so darling and the hor derves, turkey and all the trimmings were YUM!! The turkey was a work of art, stuffed with fresh herbs, and orange slices. It was so fragrant and cooked to perfection.

After a great meal we just enjoyed...It was so nice. It was good to visit with Brandon and Jess, it is a treat to be able to see them since they live in the "Logan" :).

 This year I attempted Brady's mom buttery, flaky rolls. That are to put it lightly are TO DIE FOR.Well, it is actually his great-grandma's but this is something that I want to master and be able to make just like her. And keep this great recipe in the family.

She was a sweetheart and took the time out from her dinner to come over and help me make these little puffs of heaven. Thanks Kel, they turned out great!

Toast to the Hosts of the feast! Thanks guys for a wonderful day!

Brayden and his own turkey platter...Silly kid.

Afterward we headed to Gordon and Kel's for a slice of pie...and to relax and unwind.

I am sad though, I didn't get any picture's of Thanksgiving "Eve"...

But it was so nice...none the less!!

Love all of you guys!

Queue the Holiday Tunes....

It's the most Wonderful Time of the Year....

This is something I look forward to every year. Decking the Halls.

Love it.

Christmas Tunes a blarin'...Jingle bell rockin'

I reeeeeeally want a new tree. A flocked tree. Looked at them last year but never bought.

So this year, I attemped to flock my own. It turned out alright but not without a fight.

First of all, I bought the snow in a can...it did an alright job but I wanted it a tiny bit thicker in a few spots. So I whipped up some "flock". Yes, there is a recipe for flock.

While I was grating the bar of soap, I grated my thumb along with it. Ouch!

And then...(yes there is more) I was mixing together all the ingredients with my hand mixer..Hands still soapy and slippery, I started putting in the beaters and I accidentally turned on the mixer...fingers intertwined in the beaters...motor ferociously torquing..beating my fingers in between them. I tried to pull the plug out but my hands were too slippery. Brady was close by and I screamed for help. We got it unplugged. Yaaaaooooowwwwzzzaaaa!!!

It HURT. BAD. Like the kind of bad when you can't talk for a minute. Brady didn't even really know what happened...He kept saying,"Are they broken? What happened?"

I looked at my fingers, purple, and deep indentations from the beaters.

Dandy.

Needless to say I have a flocked tree...looks alright but cost me some pain right?! :)

I also made linen stockings, doilie garland and some ornaments...All accident free.

Now I get to enjoy.

 

 Brayden's little tree. He is super excited to have his own this year. `And loves plugging it in at night.

I think that this is my most prized Christmas Accessory. I LOVE my nativity.
I get so excited to put it out. In fact, it is ALWAYS the first thing I put out.
Everytime I look at it I think of Mary and her struggle to bring our Savior into this world...
A few years ago I taught a Young Women Christmas lesson.
I was deeply touched by the spirit I felt and I will never forget it. I felt so close to her.
Maybe it was because I had a son of my own. And I had some sort of glimpse of what it was like to carry and bring a child into this world. I cannot even imagine her trial.
Relying just on her faith, knowing the child she was carrying was to be the Savior of the World.
Being the chosen mother to raise Jesus Christ. Traveling under tremendous strain. Being turned away at the Inn, not knowing where she could go to bring her new precious son into this world.
Giving birth in a Manger.
What an incredible, strong, faithful, loving and perfect mother.
I get so emotional whenever I think of her. And what a miracle the birth of Christ was.
It is one if not the most important story we know.
I am grateful for her and her sacrifice.

Merry Christmas to All.

My First Pin.

Pintrist.

The dark hole of everything that I love!

Projects.Design.Clothes.Health Tips.Etc.....

It has stolen A LOT of my time lately.

Pintrist. I love you.

Browsing through all these wonderful inspiring pins sometimes I feel ummm...not that creative :).

And at times it seems like I am hitting my forehead saying,"Duh, Why didn't I think of that?"

It makes me happy to know there are so many talented, creative people out there!

And the pintrist world networks, shares, and encourages that inner creative girl...

This year for Christmas since I have a 10 month old into EVERYTHING. Literally, I wanted ornaments that were non-breakable and kid friendly.

Thinking, I looked around and found some doilies at the craft store.(I know kinda Grandma)

But, I love thev lacey vintage looking pattern.

Sewed some together and pulled apart. And Voila!

Kid friendly ornaments..Non breakable and fold flat for storage!

I also sewed together a bunch for a garland and some other little goodies. This years tree will be really different then anything I have done in the past. So we will see how it goes!

And we will see how far the pinning goes as well!