Exciting News!

I just have to share this exciting news!  :)  I want to just shout it from the roof tops!

http://www.kinderkeepsakesblog.com/2012/06/we-got-in.html

I can't believe it!

200th blog post on  my blog!

http://www.kinderkeepsakesblog.com/2012/06/200th-post.html

Ry's Graduation! :)

If you want to see pictures of Ry's graduation click on the link below! Thanks bunches!

Aly

http://www.kinderkeepsakesblog.com/2012/05/graduation-day.html

The time has come...(please read)

Hello there all my faithful readers.  I have been MIA for ever and ever, I know.  With a few sparse blog posts here and there.  All I have to say is I'm so sorry for my sparse-ness (is that even a word?).  


Anyway, the reason that I haven't been around much is because for the past 3 years I have been trying to find a way to blog both personally and "business-y".  Because as most of you know I have my other blog that I use to post stuff about my business. 


However, as I have been blogging--or rather--attempting to blog, I have realized that because I was trying to do 2 blogs and keep them separate and up-to-date, BOTH of the blogs suffered and I wasn't able to give much to either one.  The other thing I noticed was that I would write things of a more personal nature on the "business" blog because that is what I felt I needed to post, and other times I would want to share great deals and/or a fun tip that I was learning about marketing or branding or a cool sewing project that I came up with on my more personal blog.  


What I began to realize over time  is that I have really been inter-mingling the two this whole time.  Not to mention that it is really time consuming for me to come up with two separate blog posts for each blog all the time.  Which is why, as you have seen, I really haven't been good at keeping up with this blog or the other one for that matter.


I really admire and commend those wonderful mommy bloggers that can have a personal and more business blog and keep them both going all the time.  (I know my parents wish I posted more on this blog so they could see their grandkids more.)  But unfortunately, I'm not one of those moms.  I feel like I am up to my eyeballs in the business side of the business that I am not able to really embrace the actual creative and fun side that I love.  Like the sewing, and the activities with my kids and the reason I got started in the first place.  


So that is why, after a lot of thought and prayer and understanding--I have decided that the time has come for me to merge the two blogs into one.  Not a blog that is solely meant for my business and not a blog that is solely a personal blog.  But a blog that represents both parts.  A blog that can help, lift, and celebrate the ups and downs of running a business, while at the same time celebrating and expressing the ups and downs to being a mom too.  I have worked really hard to find a way for the two to mesh together in a way that would appeal to both my audiences and feel like I have finally found it.


On my new blog you will be given tips and tricks on how to save money and yummy recipes to try.  There will also be anything having to do with toddlers and kids, whether it be a fun activity to do or help with potty training etc.  I will feature other mom blogs and what they have offer so that you can get the best tips and help you possibly can from all different resources.  I will also focus on fun and simple sewing projects you can try or maybe I will tell of a funny sewing disaster that you should stay away from.  I am hoping that doing this will help in some small way and reach moms of all walks of life.  


In addition to that I will also share stories of my kids and what we have been up to as a family.  (Don't worry, I will be careful as far divulging to much information (for the safety of my kids)).  But they are huge part of my life.  I would not be where I am today--without them.  


So without any further ado...
my new blog is:


www.kinderkeepsakesblog.com


I would feel honored if you would join/follow me over on that blog, so that you can keep up with what is going on with us!  As moms, I am sure you understand my need to consolidate the two blogs into one.  So please, come on over to the new blog!  There will be alot of fun going on!  Hope to see you there!


Again, thanks again for all the support that you have shown.  I really appreciate it!  


Sincerely,
Aly


PS-I will still keep this blog live so that I can still keep up with what you guys are all doing.  I do check back all the time!  I love that!  I just won't be posting on this blog any more.  Thanks again for understanding!

Handmade laundry soap

Want to save a little money?  My sister-in-law gave me this recipe to make your own laundry soap.  Apparently it's not that hard it comes out to about 3 cents a load!  I haven't done it get but I am going to try it!  You can't beat 3 cents a load.

HERE IS THE RECIPE!  Enjoy!

Aly

Flour Party!

So the girls and I were all stuck in the house today because the weather decided to be yucky and cold.  They were a bit restless and bored.  That's when I decided that  I wanted to do something fun and crazy (for me anyway), and change up our routine a bit.

I remembered a friend of mine telling me about how she let her kids play with flour, and that they LOVED it!  So I thought, why not!  Let's go for it!  (Just make sure you have a vacuum handy.)

Kyrah and Syd loved it so much it ended up getting EVERYWHERE!  Not just all over the table and chairs and floor but all over them!  It was in their hair, up their nose, you name it.  It was literally coming out of their ears.  They were adorable and couldn't be happier.   They kind of reminded me of those geisha girls, with their faces painted white.

I think the funnest part of all was when Kyrah said, "I can't believe you let us play with all of this flour, mom!  We made a bi-i-i-g-g-gggg mess!  Can we do it again, tomorrow?"  (If I didn't actually have to use flour for any kind of baking or anything, I might actually consider making it a daily ritual.  We'll have to see.)


If you want to have your own flour party here is what you need:

-baking sheets to put the flour on (optional)
-table
-flour
-little hands to play in it
-camera (believe me, you are gunna want pictures, or even video)
-vacuum (this is a necessity) 

ENJOY!

Here are some pictures of my Kyrah and Syd enjoying themselves.  These are the memories I will treasure.

They wouldn't smile for me when I would try to take their pictures together!  But I promise, they had a blast!  (Don't believe me?  Come check out the HUGE mess I get to clean up!)

$20 gift certificate for FREE! :)

I am doing special on my site for today only. You have until tuesday night at 11:59pm and if  your purchase is $20 or over you can get a $20 gift certificate for FREE with your purchase (to use on your next purchase) --you can use it for yourself or you can give it someone you know.  That is a $40 value for $20!

I have a some new products out!!  I am making baby boy onesies with ties on them!  They are so cute!  You've probably seen them, they are very popular. And the other product is the gift baskets. If you are interested in those let me know. I would send you to my website, but as of right now my etsy site has more stuff right now...

go to http://www.kinderkeepsakes.etsy.com  

and get something for your little one! Or get something for your friend that has a baby or toddler! Again, please forward this to anyone you know! (And don't forget! You get $20 to use in my store FOR FREE!) THANK YOU!

Kyrah turned 3 today!

My little Kyrah turned 3 today.  She was born Sept. 14, 2011.  I can't believe it has been three years!  It feels like just yesterday I brought her home from the hospital.  She is such a good little girl.  She is so helpful and it learning and growing so much!  I will most more tomorrow, but for now enjoy this slideshow I made!

I Heart Organizing!

This really good friend of mine introduced me to this AMAZING website.  It's called "I Heart Organizing."  Holy cow!  Talk about organization!  This women has so many fantastic ideas and tips that I don't know where to begin.  All I know is, I REALLY REALLY have this desire to get my butt into gear and start with my...well...my whole entire house actually.  But one room at a time right?

My favorite thing that she orgranized was her fridge and freezer.  I am so excited to try her tips.  Here are some awesome pictures.









She also has help and tips for family and LIFE in general.  Go check her out! You won't regret it!  Your life will be so much similar if you just organize it!

Now, I HEART ORGANIZING!

CHECK!

I am a list maker.  I find that when I make lists I actually get a lot more done.  Take today for example:  I ran 3 miles (I'm training for a half marathon in Spetember), I got the dishes done, laundry folded, website updated, e-mails sent out, kids dressed and ready for the day, dinner made, bills paid,  I went to the mall to get another set of errings for Syd because one came out and we lost it :(.  And I got some faxes sent out as well.  And that was just part of my list.  But like I said...I LOVE to check things off my list.  I feel so accomplished when I do.

But I always wonder, lists are good...but you don't want to be so consumed by lists that they control you right?  So what lists are the most important to keep your world running as a mom?  Here are some suggestions:

1. weekly to-do list
2.  running grocery list
3.  bithdays of families and friends
4.  favorite scripture verses
5. emergency contacts
6.  school or child care information
7.  your wish list
8.  house rules
9. personal goals
10.  questions to as the doctor
11.  items to buy
12. things that needs fixing
13.  school events and holidays
14.  upcoming deadlines
15.  appointments
16.  frequently called phone numbers
17.  addresses
18.  holiday shopping
19.  a master packing list for vacations
20.  birthday wish lists for the kids

This list is an excerpt from:

Mom's Ultimate Book of Lists, A: 100+ Lists to Save You Time, Money, and Sanity 

Now, keep in mind you don't HAVE to keep all these lists.  Just pick the ones that work for you!  But these are some great suggestions!  This will help you be able to keep track of all the things you know you should do...but aren't.   (That's how I feel!)


Writing my blog post for today:  CHECK!  :)

She is ONE!

Sydnee was born 1 year ago on May 11th!  I can't believe how fast this year has flown! 

Here are her one year stats:
Weight: 16 lbs 0.5oz  (3rd percentile)
Height:  28 inches  (25th percentile)
Head circumference:  17 1/3 inches  (25th percentile)
(She's still super light!  But she eats well, so we aren't really worried.)

What Sydnee does:
*  She now crawls like Speedy Gonzalez and sometimes it is hard to keep up with her.  
*  She also LOVES to pull herself up on stuff and walk around holding on!  (It won't be long before she is walking by herself)
*  When she eats she loves to put food in her hair.  It doesn't matter to her that mommy just gave a bath five minutes before.
*  When Syd goes to sleep she has to roll around and stand on her head a few times before she will actually surrender to sleep.
*  She always has to have something in her mouth while she is crawling around.  (Usually it is a "play kitchen" spoon)
*  If something is not the way she wants it...she will let you know.  I took a piece of chalk from her today when she put in her mouth, and from the way she cried and squealed you would assume the world had come to an end.  There is no lack of drama with this child!  But I love her for it!  She is always keeping me on my toes.   

What Sydnee says:
*  Her first word was:  "K-ee-aa" (Kyrah- her sister)
*  Her second word was: "hi"(she will say this about a hundred times every day.  The thing I love most is the way that she always smiles when she says it :)  )
*  Sydnee has yet to say "mama", but she has said "dada" before, but I don't know if she knows what it means.  Every time I try and get her to say either "mama" or "dada" she just looks at me like I am crazy and just laughs.  She is a to smart for her own good. 
*  She also has to blow on all of her food that we give her before she will eat it, whether it is hot or cold. :)  
*  Syd will sing in the car while she is playing or when there is music on.  She even likes to sing with us in church while we are singing the hymns.

What Sydnee likes:
*  Syd has become a lot more of snuggler than she used to be.  (And by a lot I mean she will snuggle for about 2 minutes or so instead of 30 seconds)
*  She also loves the piano and will bang on the keys and laugh
*  Her favorite food is peanut butter and honey sandwiches and string cheese
*  To color with her magnet board 
*  She LOVES her Hippo Luvi Blanket and her binki.  They go everywhere with her. 
*  She loves to splash in the bath tub and would seriously stay in the water all day if I let her. 
*  She follows Kyrah around everywhere and likes to do everything she does.
*  Syd loves to read books and points to the pictures.

Best Friends! 

Eating her Birthday Cake!  YUM!

We love you Syd!  You bring so much life to the party and there is never a dull moment with you around!  You are quite a little lady.  You seem to be 1 going on 5.  :)  Don't grow up to fast!  Happy (b-lated) Birthday baby girl!  

Love,
Mommy, Daddy & Kyrah

Family & Mexico

My hubby and I went on a trip to Mexico this past week.  Oh my gosh!  It was so much fun!  It was very warm and humid and beautiful!  We did so many fun things like snorkling and diving (my hubby saw a shark on his dive :)  Totally would have freaked me out! )  lol!  We also went zip lining and sky cycling.  We were able to see the ruins in Chichen Itza and Telum, (it was all so fascinating!  The architecture was unreal.)  We were also able to swim in underground pools called "synotes."  We had the best REAL Mexican you've ever tasted!  I am going to miss the corn tortillas the best.  You can't get them as good here in the U.S.

So a special THANK YOU to my parents for taking my hubby and I and my sisters to the beautiful country of Mexico :) We had an absolute blast!

One more special thing that happened this month:  My daughter Sydnee turned ONE on the 11th (Wed)!  So a special Happy Birthday to my adorable little girl!  We love you!

Well, I hope that you all have a wonderful weekend!  

Happy Easter Weekend!

Easter is tomorrow!  I feel bad because I haven't even gotten around to decorating or anything.  But hey, at least we will have a wonderful meal of Lamb and red potatoes.  Yum!  My girls went on a little easter egg hunt on Thursday and it was really cold and wet but still fun.  Kyrah was so funny because when the whistle blew she just stood there and watched all of theother kids run around grabbing all the eggs they could find.  In the end Kyrah ended up only getting 2 eggs.  And that was after some encouragement from mom and dad!  And Syd got 1 egg, which she proudly picked up all by herself.  Good job Syd!  I love Easter Egg hunts!  If I was still a kid I would have run around too grabbing for all the eggs!

Even though Easter Egg hunts and the Easter Bunny are fun ways to celebrate Easter; I hope this Easter Sunday we remember Jesus Christ and his resurrection and sacrifice for all of us.  Happy Easter weekend!  May your days be filled with new beginnings! 

We had so much fun!

Happy Easter!

Changing the World

Some days are easier than others.  But I know that I love what I do.  This song is beautiful.  It reminds me of why I am here and my purpose on this earth :)


Here is to all the moms everywhere:




~Aly

With a little bit of luck...

I will be able to keep up on my blogging! :)  I know you all probably thought that I fell off the face of the earth again...but I didn't :)  I know I need to catch you all of up on the past 2 months!  Crazy!  ***DEEP BREATH***  Here I go:

Well, Sydnee turned 7 months!  She is growing so much both in personality and in size.  She has learned to sit up  all by herself and loves to play with her toys and of course everything goes from her hand into her mouth.  (So now were a lot more cautious on what we leave out on the floor.  It will be crazy when she becomes mobile!  She loves to laugh and play with her older sister.  They have so much fun together.  Syd LOVES to also be thrown up in the hair and she laughs and laughs!

Well, Sydnee turned 8 months!  Yay!  She is still growing so much but now she has learned how to roll all over the place!  I call her my little rollie pollie :)  You put her down and turn your back for a minute and she's gone!  She also likes to get on all fours from the sitting position and she will rock back and forth.  She usually will end up doing a face plant in the end when her arms gives out, but for the most part she does really good job.  I can see the wheels turning in her head and know that she just WANTS to get places.  So we soon will have a crawler in our household!   Syd currently weighs 13.6 lbs and will go in for her official doctors apt in about a month so I will let you know the official stats then :)  She is a still a little girl :)  But we love it!

Kyrah has been growing so much too! She comes up with the darnedest little sayings.  Some of the stuff she says I can't quite believe it.  She is VERY possessive of things.  Everything HAS to belong to SOMEONE.  So she always says stuff like:  "This is Sydnee's bib, but Kyrah use it."  or  "That's daddy's cup but mommy use it."  At least we've gotten her to accept the fact that other people can use things that aren't theirs.  She used to freak out and get mad if everyone wasn't using THEIR stuff.  :)  What a kid.  One thing I have to say about Kyrah, she is such a good sharer with Sydnee.  If Syd has a toy she wants she will always find another toy that Syd can play with so she can have the toy she wants.  She also likes to make sure that Syd is taken care of.  She likes to pretend to feed her and changes her diapers.  Mind you, all of this stuff is supervised by yours truely.  lol :)  )  Another thing that Kyrah LOVES to do is cook.  She has really become quite the helper in the kitchen.  Some days I love it, and other days it makes things a little tricky to manage, but it's fun either way.  We made daddy his peanut butter and honey sandwich the other day for lunch and she helped my spread the honey and peanut butter.  All the while singing:  "Spread, spread, spread, spread."  She loves it!  Oh, and she also loves to help mommy make cookies!  I love it too!  We are able to snitch together and no one can tell on us :)  She is the life of the party and is always making us laugh :)

Ry is doing well, just working hard on his thesis and working and going to class :)  Busy as ever!  But we love him for all of his hard work :)  We have decided that we are going to stay in Logan for another year, which will be really fun.  I never thought I would say this but I love it here.  I am so happy we are staying one more year before we are off to a PHD program.

I am doing great!  Going a bit crazy but enjoying it.  I have decided to turn my "business" into an actual business instead of a hobby.  I really feel like I have the potential to do it I just need to be a bit more aggressive and have more faith in myself.  I am really excited for the changes that are happening and those changes that will happen in the future :)  Also, I am getting the hang of being a mom to two instead of one.  The adjustment period felt longer this time but I finally feel like I can do it with no problems.  Well at least not major ones. .  Oh, and I am back exercising for real this time.  I am planning on running a half marathon in August so I am running 6 days a week to get back into shape and then hopefully be able to start training 12 weeks before the blessed event ;)  I have never done a marathon of any kind before so I am really excited about this!  Wish me luck!  

Well,  that is pretty much a nutshell of what we have been up to!  Oh, and best of all we went to Disneyland for Christmas!  One full week of absolute fun!  (Even though it did rain 6 out of the 7 days we were there.)

I don't know why this picture won't turn..oh well..turn your head.  It's such a magical moment! :)

  I am really going to try and post at least a little something every Sunday and hopefully that will help the posts.  Not feel like novels.  lol!  :)  Well, Life is good and we are enjoying every moment we get to spend together!  Like right now!  I am typing right now with my precious Kyrah on my lap pointed out everything I am doing as I do it.  As well as trying to type a little something of her own.  So here is what Kyrah says:


i am kyrah. bye.

Oh, I love my life!

The end.

Making a promise

Hi Family & Friends!

I hope you are all doing well!  We are doing great :)  Just plugging away as usual and loving every minute of it.

Well, as many of you know, a new year is upon us and it is time to make all of those "New Years resolutions".  I do this every year but I don't always follow through with my goals that I want to accomplish.  Things always seem to get the in the way.  Well, this year is different.  You want to know why?  Because I am not just setting goals for this year, I am MAKING PROMISES.  It is a lot harder to break a promise to others than it is to not achieve a goal that only you have set out to do.  And, that is why I am sharing with all of you my "promises" of this year.  I am setting myself accountable for these promises so that you all know that I am serious and will see them through.  I have about 10 goals (or promises) that I want to achieve this year, but here are my top 3 that I will share with you.

My top 3 promises to all of you:

I PROMISE that I will become a more converted member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day- saints.

(This includes: reading the whole Book of Mormon by July 7, 2011; make my prayers more sincere and meaningful; each day reading an uplifting story/talk from the Ensign or other wholesome material; looking for ways to give to others at very LEAST once a week; have personal scripture study every day; bear my testimony each fast Sunday.)

I PROMISE to gain true confidence and have more faith in myself as a wife, mother and business owner.

(This includes:  only having positive things to say to/about myself; stay away from things/people that will bring me down; stay actively involved with my kids and husband; set goals (promises) for my business to succeed; TRUST MYSELF and know that I can accomplish anything!)

I PROMISE to become healthy and fit.

(This includes:  eating more healthy foods and drinking more water; training for a half marathon in August; cardio workouts 5-6 days a week and weight training 3 days a week)

I am really excited because this is going to be a big year of change for me as an individual!  And now I am accountable for my promises I have made to you, which in turn will make me able to follow through and accomplish my goals!

The reason that I decided to do this is because of one my favorite inspirational people.  Her name is Chalene Johnson.  She is a fitness trainer and inspirational speaker.  I have been doing her workout dvds and listening to her inspirational lectures for about 5 years now and love them.  Well, she has come out with a 30-day Challenge.  This is not just any challenge.  It is a challenge to help you become a all around better person!  Best of all...it's free!  You just sign up for it and every day (for 30 days) you will receive an e-mail with worksheets you can print out and a video to watch. (usually only about 5 minutes or less). The "homework" she has you do takes less than 10 minutes a day.  I am only on day 5 and I have already seen a difference in the way I think, act and feel!  So I am challenging all of you to take the 30-day challenge with me!  You will not regret it!

http://www.chalenejohnson.com/30daychallenge/

Comment and let me know what you think! I would love to do this with you!  It's more fun when you have friends and family doing it with you!  Here is to the 30-day challenge!  :)  Let's make some changes!

Love you all!

Sincerely,

Aly Porter

Happy Thanksgiving!

We had fun this thanksgiving!  We have so much to be thankful for!  We have a wonderful family, home, job and great kids!  What more could you ask for!

We went down to Lindon and Provo just for the day and we were able to see tons of family and eat great food!  Thanks to everyone who housed us and fed us!  We love you!  Hope everyone else had a great Thanksgiving!

Kyrah eating her ice chips!  She loved them!  lol! :)

Thanksgiving Turkey!

 Aunt Ruth and Syd

Sydnee had a blowout about 10 min after we got there.
So my cousin let me borrow her daughter's sleeper.
I forgot to bring a change of clothes.  (How do you
forget that?)

I am so grateful for my beautiful family!  We are richly blessed!

We enjoyed having the GRATITUDE ATTITUDE all day!

Happy Turkey Day!

Sydnee Turns 6 months!

So I'm so sorry Syd, but I skipped your 5 month birthday and went straight to 6 months.  But we still love you!  I hope that you can forgive me for my short comings.  (Blogging being one of them)

Sydnee has such a personality!  She is full of energy and always has to be moving.  She can grab a hold of things and she tries to bring them to her mouth.  If they are big enough they go straight in.  However, if they are small then she just forgets they are in her hand, but she will grasp them so tightly.  It's funny.  She LOVES graham crackers too!  If you try and take a graham cracker away from her while she is eating it she will flip out!   She can now sit up pretty well.  She still has a pillow behind her in case she falls.  She can roll over a lot now so I have to watch her.

Her stats for her six months:
Weight: 12 lbs 4.5oz  (3%)
Height:  25 1/2 inches (50%)
Head Measurement: 15 3/4 inches (3%)

She is a little tall and skinny girl!  We love her!  She is such a joy! :)

Happy Six months!  :)  Keep growing healthy and strong baby girl!  Thank you for being such a beautiful part of our family! We love you!
-mom, dad & kyrah

Happy Halloween!

We had a lot of fun this year even though it was freezing cold and raining on Halloween! Once Kyrah realized that she could get candy just by knocking on doors she was ALL FOR IT!  We tried to teach her how to say trick-or-treat but she would just knock on the door and then reach her hand into the little bucket full of candy and take some.  Oh well, hopefully next year she will get it.  :)  lol!  She loved it though!

Ryan:  Iron Man
Aly: Milk
Kyrah: Chocolate Chip Cookie
Sydnee: Black Kitty Cat