Minnesota Vacation 2011

Day 4
Today we reached the city of Cook, Minnesota. We were so happy!
We met grandma and grandpa Creswell at the Target in Virginia and gathered all our food for the cabin. Once we got our food and lunch, we headed for Elbow Lake where we would take a boat to the cabin. The last time we were here was 10 years ago and I still remember the mosquito that got trapped in my pants giving me 18 bites on my bum!
Once we got to the dock and loaded up the boat, we made our way across the lake to spend 4 days without cell phones, running water, electricity, and other modern conveniences.
It was so hot and humid that we broke a sweat just sitting in the shade. By evening we were all in the lake washing off the stink of the day and it sure felt good!
Adam loved fishing. Never ended up catching anything but got a couple of nibbles. Makinley enjoyed covering herself with mud from the lake and collecting slimy lily pads. Kennidy fell in love with the row boat and got really good at it by the end of the week. Ford and I got eatin alive from all the mosquitos. Thank goodness for grandma's Afterbite Itch Relief. Ford liked playing in the lake and giving grandma pinches.

Minnesota Vacation 2011

Day 3
We traveled across North Dakota to Moorehead, Minnesota.
We saw some really pretty land...green and simply beautiful but not without a price. We got out of the car for a bathroom break only to be smacked in the face with humidity! Blah! We were happy to get to Moorehead. The kids liked this pool the best. It had 2 big pool areas. A baby pool with a turtle and frog slide and a bigger pool with a ball hoop. We did laundry and had pizza for dinner. Very relaxing after a long day of travel.

Minnesota Vacation 2011

Day 2
Today we drove to Billings, Montana. But before we stopped there we went through Yellostone National Park.
Yellowstine was amazing! We stopped on the side of the road to take pics of a bald eagle perched in a tree, caribou grazing in a field, buffalo on the side of the road, and Old Faithful Geyser. We were all excited to see these animals up close and I think I took tons of pictures of buffalo! They are huge creatures. After lunch and experiencing a little part of Yellostone...we headed to Billings.
We got to our hotel and out came the swimsuits and towels! I have to say that this was the perfect way to end each day of our trip. All the kids looked forward to this!

Minnesota Vacation 2011

Day 1
Started out bright and early Sunday morning. We traveled 10 hours to Rexburg, Idaho. Brandon drove us around BYU - Idaho campus and showed us where he used to live. It was called Ricks College back in the day and much, much smaller. The entire town has grown so much since the '90s. The kids thought it was neat too see where dad went to college for a short while before moving to BYU - Provo. We also saw the temple that sits on a hill over looking Rexburg. It was really pretty and surprisingly bigger than expected.
The kids were happy to be out of the car and into the pool. The Springhill Suites in Rexburg were a favorite. They were totally groovy with their Retro designs.

Just the Girls...

I asked Lynda Thomassen, of Blue Lake Photos, if she would take me out for a photo lesson.  She takes amazing photos and was so great to help me.  I was just getting into photography when we moved from Utah, almost 4 years ago, and haven't done it since.  Just my family...dinkin around.  Lynda taught me some really interesting and useful tips!!!  Thanks so much, Lynda!

Math Olympics 2011

The end of the school years bring so many award ceremonies and events for the kids.  Today...was Math Olympics!  I was excited, once again, for Adam.  The first year we were here he wasn't all that excited about Math Olympics.  However, as the years have gone by his confidence in math has increased.  He is really good at math!  And Adam proved it today...getting 2nd place!  His friends, Ben and Timothy, got 1st and 3rd respectively.  Way to go, Adam.  Dad and I are so proud of you!

Super Students 2011

Last night we attended the Super Student Awards at DES.  Both Adam & Makinley were awarded Super Student of the Year...along with a bunch of other kids.  We are so proud of our children.  Every year they put all their efforts into making good choices and working hard.  We couldn't have asked for better kids that these.

Mammoth Anniversary Weekend

It's a good thing we had planned to go out of town for our anniversary because on our actual anniversary...we didn't even have time to go to dinner.  We didn't have time the evening after either!  But nothing was going to stand in our way this weekend.

We planned a Mammoth weekend with the Petersons and we were sooooooo excited!  We left Friday morning after dropping kids off at the Workmans (our kids may have been more excited to stay with the Workmans than we were to go to Mammoth.  They LOVE the Workmans and we are so glad they do because they are great friends).  

So we left (discovered a few things on the ride...our husbands want to get lost in the mountains somewhere as long as they have their bag of Cheetos, Tyler talks a lot because of Bridget, our kids do hilarious things, learn about kissing in kindergarten) and got into Mammoth about 1:30.  
We went to lunch.  Then to see if our hotel was available for early check in.  Our lucky day!  After dropping our luggage off, we decided a tour was in order.  We found some restaurants, over priced shops, and some outlet stores with some pretty good deals.  So we took advantage.  Brandon got a suit for $100.  Todd got some socks for $1.80.  I got my traditional magnet for $6.00 (not such a good deal).  And Bridget got some cool hiking/water shoes for 60% off!  I got locked out of the dressing room...with all my clothes on...and only the 4 of us know that story.  Todd found Brandon a t-shirt that read: Ski Naked.  It'll add color to your cheeks.  
When we were finished laughing, trying on clothes, and laughing some more...we headed to do some snow shoeing.  And laughed some more.  Full moons that could have been prevented if there was sun involved.  All that kind of good stuff.  

Snow Shoeing was soooooo fun.  We hiked straight up this steep hill that had a waterfall right in the middle of it.  It was so pretty.  The entire landscape was just so peaceful and gorgeous.
After our snow shoeing, Bridget was starving so we decided to go to Grumpy's Sports Bar.  The food was soooo good.  Bridget and I ordered the Cowgirl Steak.  It was the best steak I've had in a loooooooong time.  Medium rare and so tender.  Bridget and I were in steak heaven.  Don't even remember what the conversations were but I remember the steak!
We hurried back to the hotel because we wanted to get in the hot tubs!  It was so cold by the time we got back and I really didn't want to get into a bathing suit but it was totally worth it.  Almost too worth it.  Our bodies became so hot that none of us really slept well.  Now I'm not saying the hot tub was to blame...just maybe being in it too long was.
The next morning we got ready to brave the Mammoth Mountain!  SOOOoooo exciting!  And after purchasing our tickets and taking 30 mins to figure out our locker situation...we were finally on the slopes.  It was beautiful weather.  A bit windy in the morning but by 11 it was perfect.  I think we all took at least one good spill each.  I have a huge bruise on my knee cap to prove my wipeout.  But it was either wipeout or die!  Literally!  On one side of me was a cliff and on the other was an ice wall.  I chose to crash into the ice wall instead of going over the cliff!  I watched Todd wipeout!  It looked worse than he thought it was.  I didn't see Bridget or Brandon.  We had such a fun time and on the way home...we were quiet and sleeping.

Sunday morning I woke up with a sore neck.  But other than that I felt great.  Happy and content.  I really needed this get away.  Thanks, Petersons for going with us.  We had a great time.  

RuffledEdges Blog

My Shop blog, RuffledEdges, is up and running.  I am constantly adding new things.  Check it out and let me know what your reaction is.  
All orders are custom made.  Color and size choices are available.  Enjoy your visit!

Sweet Thank Yous

We used some of our tax return to buy some bigger bikes for 3 of our kids.  I love how they just seem to out grow everything at the same time.  

We needed to find new homes for their old bikes so I called Katy Gardner and asked if she knew anyone who could use them.  She said she did and so off they go to her garage.  It felt good to make some room in ours.

A few days later she came over with her kids and a yummy plate of chocolate dipped strawberries, marshmallows, pineapples, and graham crackers.  Travis, Trevor, and Kendra had drawn and written Thank You notes for the bikes!  They are soo sweet!  And so were those goodies!

Spring Soccer has begun!

I am often amazed at all the things Moms have to keep straight.  Take soccer for example.  I have 4 kids in soccer.  Two of them are on the same team.  But I have to remember who practices on what night and at what time.  I have to get them there and back by dinner or before dinner.  Which means I have to plan my dinner times according to the days they have practice.  Are you confused?  I am.
I love soccer and I love being schedules!  I love calendars and marking them up with all the different activities we have.  It makes me feel like we're active and that we're accomplishing goals and not just sitting around being idol.
Kennidy & Adam - Scored a goal each!!!

Makinley-was a fabulous forward and dynamite defender!!!

Ford-did fabulous as a midfielder!!! Love the tongue.

Jimmer Fans

Hard Work

I am a firm believer in this one fact: If you work hard enough, you will be blessed.

I am also a firm believer in Science Fairs are to be done by the student, not the parent.  And when I say everything, I mean everything.

This year Makinley and Adam did almost everything themselves.  They found their projects.  They did their experiments.  They typed up their questions, hypothesis, procedures, results, and conclusions.  And they put everything together on their boards.  They worked hard.

Last night was the Science Fair.  We went at 6pm because Dad and Kennidy had to set up for YM/YW at 6:30.  We saw their projects and some others and left.  The judging, we were told, wouldn't start until 7 and we just couldn't stay that long.  We told Adam and Makinley how proud we were of them for all their work.

About 7:30pm I received a text from Paula.  It said, 'Good job mak on sci fair! 2nd place!!!'

What?  2nd place?  Makinley was so pleased with herself.  And she should be.  She worked hard.  Both my kids did and I am so pleased with their hard work.

A work in progress

I think I have said it before but I'll say it again...I love having creative friends.
I've been admiring Lisa and Mary's blogs for awhile now and am currently changing the look of my own.  Slowly.
Mary passed along Lisa's tutorial via email.  Thanks, Lisa and Mary! 

Sick Sick Sick

I hate being sick!  I have 4 kids and don't have time to be sick.  I felt a tingling in my throat Saturday morning.  And by bedtime I was in a world of hurt.  Headache, ear tingling, a serious cough coming on.  I got a sub for Nursery, took some Ny-Quil and hit the sack!  Moms don't get a sick day!  Thank goodness it was the weekend...a 3 day weekend at that.  But I have to be better by Monday because Brandon doesn't have the day off.

Sunday morning came with making breakfast for the kids, getting the kids ready for church, and a text from my hubby saying he was running late in meetings and could I drop the kids off. Oi!  

I had a headache, fever, tingling in my right ear, my neck was achy, and I even hallucinated.  I thought Brandon had come home and was trying to get the covers over my head and I tried to stop him but my eyes wouldn't open and my arms were too heavy to move to stop him.  I heard the tv on in my room and I was roasting like a pig in a fire pit!  

When my family came home for real...Adam made me lunch.  That was so nice of him.  Thanks, Adam.  I watched 'The Other Side of Heaven' and tried to sleep some more.  

I spent all day in bed.  I worried about what to do with the kids on Monday because they don't want to be stuck home with a sick mom!  Well, Monday is here and I am feeling a little better but not much.  I scheduled a Dodge Ball game at the church intending to bring my kids and just sit in the foyer but Brandon announced that he wanted to stay home to help me!  The Workmans were game and so Plan A was successful.  Plan B was finding some movie at the $3.oo theater and sitting through it.  Not a bad Plan B but glad I didn't have to use it.  I'm not sure driving while dizzy is the best plan.

Now I am going back to bed to, hopefully, sleep this off.  I have sneezed twice and that's always a good sign to getting better!  

Science Fair Saturday

Today Brandon helped Makinley and Adam complete their Science Fair Projects.  He’s so patient!  Thanks, honey!  I love you.

Adam's project is to see how different liquids absorb in a sponge.  He tested by weight.  

Makinley's project tested density.  Will an egg float or sink in salt water?

Snowshoeing Spooner Summit

We met at Paula’s house for an exciting morning of snowshoeing!  It snowed 3 days this week and we were pumped for some fluffy powder!

As soon as we got to the ‘parking lot’ we knew this was going to be an adventure.  It had snowed so much in Tahoe that there was no visible trail.  So we did the only thing we could.  Blazed our own trail.  And for any of you that have blazed your own trail in the snow know that it’s no easy task.  Our hearts were pumping, beads of sweat were dripping, and lots of breaks!  Trudging through waist high snow is a workout!  Holy Cow! 

Bridgette and I packed our snowboards on our backs and were really excited to board on this fluff.  The only problem was too much snow.  It was too deep that we couldn’t get a good start because we’d sink before we really got going.   We tried several times and would get stuck and couldn’t get out without falling deeper.  We were close on time so we decided this wasn’t the best idea and strapped on our snowshoes and made our way down the mountain on foot.

On our way down, Bridgette and I slipped plenty of times.  In fact on time we slipped at the same time.  It was hilarious.  But the funniest part was when I couldn’t get back up because my board was stuck in the snow and prevented me from moving forward or backward.  The only way I could go was straight up.  And that’s kind of hard to do when you are on a horizontal plane.  I was laughing so hard Bridgette had to help me up.  We are definetly planning to bring our boards again...when there’s not so much snow.  If nothing else, we had a good laugh!  

Tiny Little Hat

I bought this newborn Newsboy Cap from Polka Dot Posh over the weekend.  It is super tiny I couldn't believe it!  Lynda was kind enough to let me use her photos for my Etsy shop.  This is Cole sporting my cap and cute loafers!

We have a TEENAGER!!!

It's official...we have a teenage daughter!  Today Kennidy turns 13!  Saturday, Kennidy and I went shopping for presents.  Brandon and I thought it would be a good idea to let Kennidy pick out her presents this year.  She did good.

We went to Deseret Book where she got a new scripture bag.  Very stylish.

We went to Rue 21 where she got a purple scarf, an Owl ring, and 3 shirts.

We went to Children's Place where she got a jean jacket.

We went to AT&T online where she got a purple cell phone.

And we went to A&W where she got a cheeseburger, fries, and rootbeer.

Tonight we open cards/presents from grandparents and great grandma gore.  

Happy Birthday, Kennidy!  We love you so much and have enjoyed watching you grow into the beautiful young woman you are today!

Hello Kitty and more...

So I learned how to do a Hello Kitty hat!  I’m selling it for $18.00.  I made this one for Emma and I can’t wait to give it to her.  Now she and Makinley can be twins! 

I really like this Owl hat.  The color possibilities are endless.  I can go bright and fun or simple and conservative.  I’m selling it for $18.00, as well.

This newborn hat was a baby shower gift for my friend, Brittany.  She has 2 adorable little girls and is having her first boy!  I chose not to use any colors because I loved the neutrality of this yarn.  I love the way it turned out.  This newborn monkey hat is $16.00.

This hat is for a sister I visit teach.  She has 2 boys and is expecting her first girl.  Her babies tend to come 5 weeks early and so this hat is so tiny!  I love the colors.  Especially the purple.

This little darling was not as tiny but oh so fun to make.  I love this Pixie hat.  I can’t get enough of those stripes!  I can’t wait to make it in red and white...and I think I want the pom pom a little bigger.  This Pixie hat is $16.00.

I made this Sock Monkey hat for a girl who lives in Toronto.  It’s pretty cold up there right now and I love the hot pink!  I made the spiral ties extra long so she could use them as a scarf.  I absolutely love this hat!  I’m selling Sock Monkey hats for $30.00.  

I’m still selling these Ear Warmers.  They are my best seller.  They sell for $16.00 and come with the flower.  I also sell the flowers separate for $4.50. 

My friend, Jeannie, found some cute Koala hats and made one for her daughter, Jaidyn.  I fell in love with it when she showed me.  It’s made out of 100% Alpaca yarn and is the softest hat I have ever felt.  She said her mom paid a TON of money for one skien.  I didn’t get Alpaca yarn...I didn’t go to the right store...but walked away with some grey Homespun.  I’m dying to try it out. 

Check it out at RuffledEdges.etsy.com.