Cleaning out the garage

Well it came time to do a little spring cleaning. Not your average spring cleaning of the garage....

but it was exciting and important for us!

So, We got rid of this:

and this:

and replaced them with this:

Which also left us:

Normally i wouldn't be so prideful to post about getting a nice new (to us) car, but a few of you know of the car drama we have been feeling. The Audi broke down on the way home from purchasing it. And since I am a little on the neurotic side, I couldn't get over it and was constantly scared it was going to break down again. Cody has had his precious truck parked in the garage since the beginning. He only drove it about once a twice a QUARTER. So, since it had a crazy high monthly loan payment, he decided it was time to say goodbye. He found a nice car that would replace it and we got a super good deal on trade ins, as well as the purchase price. It was such a blessing and an answer to our prayers. I can't even describe the amount of relief I feel now about our automotive situation. So now we are a normal family with one truck and one car.

Sorry about the horrible formatting...I don't know what is going on.

A spectacular Valentines

Well I finally have something worth blogging about! This past weekend was the best valentines day EVER in the history of US! It started off Friday when Cody had flowers delivered. Pretty Lily's with a handmade card (that he purchased)

Us with the flowers (yes I just like using my new camera). Don't mind the kids half naked. We were in transition to pajama's to spend the night at Grandma's and just hadn't got to the fully clothed part yet.
Then we decided spur of the moment to head out of town for the weekend. We headed to vegas at about 8pm Friday night.
We stayed the first night in Mesquite at the Oasis. Yes you are probably wondering how we could stay there since it closed several years ago. Apparently Virgin River is running the rooms there. And let me tell you....not the nicest room we've stayed in. When we walked in there was no TV. So at first i thought someone stole it. But then cody walked down the way and saw other rooms didn't have TV's too. The beds seemed new, and the bathrooms seemed renovated...and those are the items that matter so it was okay.
our room 3rd floor
Then we headed towards vegas. On the way we saw this crazy accident. This big rig was completely blocking the freeway perfectly straight across.
Our first stop was the outlet mall. I generally come every year during Nascar, but this year it wasn't going to work out, so I'm glad we stopped in.
I was able to fullfill my yearly watch purchase at the fossil outlet. a $95 watch for $30.

Then we checked into the Monte Carlo. We haven't stayed there before, but it was pretty nice.

Our view outside the window. Normally we get the parking garage view or the rooftop view of the annex building next to the hotel.

Above-Sunset

Below-morning

We ended up eating dinner at a nice restarant in the New York New York.

Met up with Jason before hand

And this is what he spent his time doing

Then...the highlight of the trip....our first vegas show...Frank Caliendo. Hilarious!

We woke up Sunday and went to the Original pancake house in Henderson (kinda a tradition) and then Jason and Cody played Blackjack on the way out and we headed for home.

This is the first trip that we've ever taken where it was just us (for the most part) the whole first day we didn't have anyone to worry about entertaining anyone but ourselves. It was a nice break to get away from life at home and just have no real plans and just hang out. I'm so grateful for everyone who watched the boys last minute so we could go.

A month in review

Well, the year started off great for us. I didn't make any goals or resolutions (because then you have to follow through). I have been pretty project oriented and making lots of things. The first thing I made was this frame ensemble (which now has photo's of my own kids)

Then I made this necklace holder. I got tired of my necklaces being wadded up in the little jewelry box I have. It was really simple...I used modge podge and just slapped some paper on there and put the hooks on.

My biggest project I have going right now is the complete decoration of the boy's room. So I'm giving you a glimpse of the start of it with the tools out and the mess. I'll post the after when I'm complete!

Coen has been my super big helper. He wants his hands into EVERYTHING I'm doing. And when he's not helping me, he's just hanging out wherever i am like my little shadow.

Aside from those projects I've got a couple of baby quilts in the works too.

We went to dinner with some good friends last weekend. It was so nice to have dinner with adults and not have to worry about entertaining children! Here I am pictured with my friend Audrey who is expected to deliver this week (and will the the recipient of one of the blankets)

Asa and Coen got invited to his first birthday party. A pirate themed party-as if you couldn't tell). He had so much fun. I couldn't get a picture of Coen in the garb. He was being shy the whole time
There was lots of wrassling with daddy. Seems like whenever Daddy's at their level they are always climbing on him.

We got to spend an evening with my Grandparents from Idaho. Coen was being camera shy and wouldn't get in the shot!
Asa had his round of the itty bitty basket ball. He didnt like it as much as he has the other sports. But he had a good time playing with the other kids.

A wordy update on the family :

Coen has been counting to 9 consistently, he knows most of his colors and knows a few random shapes like triangle, heart and circle. He is obsessed with singing and wants me to sing the ABC's all the time. And because of that he can sing about 3/4 of the song with me. we also sing intsy wintsy spider, which he likes to sing with me. His words are becoming more clear and is finally finishing each of his words. He's putting more words together too, so that makes it even easier to understand what he wants.

Asa is pretty well addicted to playing xbox. He'd play all day long if he was allowed. His vocabulary is also growing (for the good and the bad) he says the funniest things sometimes. It's so hilarious to hear him say phrases that he's heard from Cody or I right into context. I think he's getting anxious for warm weather. He still likes to hibernate indoors when it's cold...so some days getting him to leave the house for errands takes major bribing!

Cody is still working a gazillion hours at the shop, but it's now to the point where he could finally take some time off and go do stuff. The shop is doing well overall and we feel very blessed.

And then there's me. I have been eating, sleeping and breathing crafting these days. More than ever. If i"m not making something I'm scouring the web to find my next projects! It's been fun. I love having something to do to take up some of the mundane duties of a wife and mother. I'm still having Stampin up classes once a month that is super fun too.

Seasons Greetings

As the season and year draws to a close I can't help but reflect on the year and the most recent happenings. Seems like this year, for us, has been full of ups and downs. And is ending with an up. I can't deny the wonderful blessings my family has received as the result of the prayers and pleadings to the Lord made by us and our family and friends. I can't emphasize how truly blessed we are. This holiday season has been the most spiritual for me EVER. I can casually say that I felt the true meaning of Christmas. But I REALLY felt it. Every fiber in my being was touched by the miracles of this life. Christmas week started off with an amazing sacrament service full of music. I spent most of it in tears (from anxiety for leading the choir for the first time and the overwhelming feelings of the spirit) Later in the day I decided I'd follow through with a prompting I had had earlier in the month to volunteer to help a family in need this year. It was such a joyous service I had the opportunity to partake in. I spent a day and a half of shopping and trying to be open to the spirit as to what the family needed. I don't know if I succeeded in my gifts to them, but the feelings I had will never be forgotten. As we have struggled with various trials and tribulations this year (and the last couple)-it has been engraved into my head the real importances of life. And that is our family. We had the opportunity to have 5 family gatherings in 4 days. We spent Christmas Eve and Day with my parents, Christmas morning with Cody's mom's side and Saturday and Sunday with Cody's Dad's family. I might later recall this Christmas as my favorite ever.

So, on with the pictures.....

There is a crappy picture of the kids' loot.

Them playing with the bat cave Santa brought.
Opening presents




Asa's beloved cowboy suit that he's been asking for. (Coen got one too)

Christmas with Neels
Christmas with Shults'....And my dad sporting one of the kids' hats.


My neices reactions to the doll blankets they got


my kids loving the art easel they got from my parents

I hope everyone has had a great holiday so far and has a safe new years! Goodbye 2009 and Hello 2010!

Meeting Santa

Asa so far has been able to meet Santa twice to tell him what he wanted. He was so excited to see him. this first one is a neighborhood donation drive put on by one of my neighbors. Asa told him he wanted a cowboy suit. i have no idea where that came from. But that's what he wants.
Today we went to the Anthony family party (Tammy's mother's side). Here is Asa with Meema waiting for his turn with Santa.
And here come Santa and Mrs Clause!
Coen absolutely HATED it! I was hoping it would be Asa's turn before Coen's, but no such luck. I was also trying to get him geared up for sitting with Santa and how he gets a toy. He was not having it. But I made him and now have a picture of how much hated it.
Notice Asa's face in the background as Coen opens the present.
Again. I think Asa is more excited than Coen. So funny.
Asa was once again super excited to see Santa. He told him that he wants a cowboy suit and a gun. I don't know where he comes up with this stuff, but he's sticking to the cowboy suit!
He just ripped open the package to find a Hulk action figure. SOO exciting to him. He likes to take his shirt of in the house and say he's Hulk. Now Coen does it too.
Yay for Hulk-and Santa who gave it to him!