New blog!

So it's been a while

I started a new blog!

Not sure if I'll keep up with this one for family stuff or not.. 

Haven't decided...

But check out my new blog!!

http://starrstown.blogspot.com/

Desserts in the Shower?

No, no,no. 

Desserts at the shower

I was happy to throw together this little shower for my amazing friend, Erin 

(with tons of help!) 

She is waiting on baby #3 to be born so we wanted to celebrate!

Of course, I didn't take enough pictures but take a gander anyway!

(I must confess I was so please with how the desserts turned out I took WAY too many pictures of food. 

Just a few of the girls! More came, but I got distracted and didn't take enough photos!

 Get your drool on!!

Thank you to so many people who helped! Especially Sandra for opening her home to us :)

Summer time parties!

Drake's Birthday Party :)

Followed up by the Ward BBQ all in one day!

Birthday Boy!

Splash

Action Shot, love it

And a butt grab. Welcome to the world of water slides my dear child.

Thought this was a fun sequence of shots. Click to make larger. Love seeing Ray run around while Wendy chows down

Ward BBQ!

I love Watermelon!

She ate 4 or 5 pieces

Slide!

 Ignore my talking during the video...

These were all just so cute. But what have I learned? I don't know how to use my camera! Hence the blurry-ness. Good thing I have some photography classes coming up in the next few semesters!

Smirk. The Wendy-Bird.

Getting Wild

A couple weeks ago, okay more like a month, we decided to join the wild animals at 

Bear World

They are very wild, indeed. 

Well not really. 

We started our trip with a drive through the wild-life park. 

Ray pointing out the "baby deer" 

This kiddo is so smart, especially with animals! 

He knew all the names before we told him. 

UH-mazing!

Wendy actually talks, a lot. I'll give you a bit of a translation:

Wendy-"There it is! Puppies! Woof Woof Woof! (jabber jabber) Aaawww, so nice. Buh-bye puppy, see ya! (blows longest kiss ever)"

May I remind you this was taken a month ago when she was 20 months?!? 

This girl is such a talker!

Okay, done bragging about my kids!

Oh, no I'm not.
After the driving part, there was a walk-through part and petting zoo. 

Here's more pictures

24 before 25!

Zoo-Whooooooo!

A few weeks back,we went to the Zoo! 

That's where we took the above video. 

 Man, my kids are the best. things. ever.

Idaho Falls have the cutest, sweetest little Zoo you've ever seen. 

For real. 

Its pretty small, but so is the price and it makes a perfect day for the fam-damily. 

Never been? Go!

Checking out the penguins

Hah! Ray's face cracks me up in this one!

Ray wanted to push Wendy all day long. Cuties!

Love my family :)

24 before 25!

#1-Read the Book of Mormon cover-to-cover

24 before 25

I decided to get more organized as I attempted my first goal on the list.

Read the entire Book or Mormon cover to cover. 

Okay. First. What is the "Book of Mormon"?

Simply-put:

Another Testament of Jesus Christ.  

I'm a Latter-Day Saint, or more well known as a "Mormon".

As one part of our religion, we study the Book of Mormon. 

The book contains an account of ancient people living in what we now know as 

North and South America.

This site is really helpful in answering specific questions about the 

Book of Mormon
http://mormon.org/book-of-mormon

I decided to create an excel document to help me stay on track and organized.

I taped it into the back of my scriptures and
WALA! Organized!

I'm scheduled to read 10 chapters a week which I found easily attainable if I set my mind to it. 

The best time for me to read is during breakfast with my kids. 

I aim to read two chapters each morning, that way if something comes up or a chapter is more lengthy I have some wiggle room. 

Sigh....

I've already noticed a difference in my daily life. 

I feel much more peace when I make personal scripture study a priority. 

It just keeps me on track! 

More questions about my faith?

Here's a couple places to start:
http://mormon.org/articles-of-faith

The Family

Oh and you can ask me :) 

See it peaking from the back? Thanks for keeping me on track, BOM Reading Chart!

Light, Airy, Bliss-A Bedroom Renew

24 before 25!

Relief. Excitement. I'm never going to do this again!

All reactions of finally finishing my bedroom make-over!

Pictures galore

I am so happy with the results!

I still have a few little projects I'd like to add to the room but the bulk is done!

Halle-freakin'-lujah!! 

It was seriously so so so soooo much work! (worth it!!)

If you are thinking of tackling a project like this your first stop is good ol' Home Depot.

I'd recommend snagging some poor soul who is working there, keep asking him questions and to show you where everything is. Two hours later you will feel very prepared and ready to take that sucker-of-a-room on!!

Some before shots...

See those walls? It was pretty dark in our bedroom.  Some people may like that but I was not digging it at all.

Beautiful furniture from my parents for our wedding.  I was ready for a change in color but wanted to keep everything so I got to work!

First step 

Took everything apart and outside and sanded the crap out of the furniture. If you ever plan to do this, make sure you use an electric sander, ya'll. Doing this without one? I'd still be sanding and probably no longer have finger nails. 

That being said, it took me the bulk of two freaking weeks to get this all sanded! Even with the electric sander AND lots of random helpers. 

 During shots...

Okay! Sanded! Next I spray painted the sides of the drawers, painted the dresser, added the stain to the bed frame and nightstand and waited for everything to dry.

Next step was to add a glossy coat to each piece.

Dry.

Sand that coat lightly.

 Add another glossy coat.

Dry.

Done with furniture!! 

(Now that I am typing this all out it doesn't seem like much work but it really was, I swear. I'm serious.)

 Next step? Created an event on facebook inviting all my girlfriends over to have a treats. Oh and help paint my bedroom. That too. (Thanks Jess and Diana!) That way we got it done all in one night!

Done with painting!

Last few steps! Got my awesome husband to help me get all that furniture back up stairs.

Spent forever getting things how I liked

Installed the curtain rod

Hung my cute curtains, homemade ya'll!

Done!

 After pics! There are lots and random children in some. It's tough getting a good shot with those little munchkins running around.

Heaven!!

Still need to add another pillow. Trying to decide on one!

If I could I would marry this quilt. I love it so much. One of the biggest accomplishments of my life!

My tiny sewing corner with my perfect table Joey got me for Christmas a couple of years ago. Plus the lovely machine my MIL, Denise has been loaning to me :)

The Wendy-Bird

Amazing desk from my parents! Perfect gift! It's a little cluttered, don't mind!

Didn't you know? I am a total nerd and have a Peter Pan collection. YYe that's right. My mom is always on the lookout for the next to be added to my collection. I have some pretty cool ones, a couple are from the 1950's.

There. Now ya'll know my some-what embarrassing secret.  Love this sweet story.(Do you know my daughter's name??) Read it? No?! Get on that! Read it!

Fun pop! (See Ray?)

Awesome Ross find.

Ignore the eye-sore-craft-drawers. Thats a project for later!

Spray-painted the hardware to match :)

Whew. 

I am in love/bliss/heaven/ecstasy every time I step into my perfect room.