By the Midnight Oil

Thought I'd share a few bits of recent "frosting"... Seems lately that anything creative I've been able to accomplish has been by the midnight oil. Even though I generally should opt to go to bed I suppose that, as Stephen would say, I can sleep when I'm dead. :)

This is a paper bag album that I'll be teaching the ladies in our ward how to put together at next week's monthly Relief Society activity. I love teaching and helping others craft too! This example is a year-in-review, with each page or spread being a different month. It's very simple so we could keep the cost and the preparation run-around to a minimum, but none the less I like how it turned out. My friend Monica and I each put together a little book. Her's is of her oldest son's first year with the same idea- very versatile! Hopefully this will be a fun and productive night!

I found the idea for these ribbon wristlets at Tatertots and Jello and thought they were so cute! For some reason these just struck my style- I love, love, love ribbon! I like that these can be both dressy and casual, and that they were so easy and quick to make. I confess the one I wore to church last Sunday became more of a toy for Ryder than anything, but it still felt fun and springy- I hope to make more of these for gifts over the next few weeks!

Happy Spring Faces

We are loving the warm weather around here! This one below of them is so classic- Coop being a cheese and Ryder happy as happy. Kids rock :)

This is our awesome neighbor, Lynn. He and his wife Gail, and thier daughter Kyla, are the best people ever to live next door to! They surely get tired of my calling in need of a cup of this or a few teaspoons of that. We love these great people!

Ry in a play cowboy hat- we never get enough of that full face smile!

His first time in the bath chair- he loves it! My sister nabbed this up for me and it has been a great baby tool.

I can hardly believe he's old enough for this- actually swinging on the tire swing himself! I love having a tire swing hanging in our backyard. Makes me feel a little more American or something.... (I know, I know, I'm wierd) :)

One of my fav recent pics of my Coop- he loves playing in the flour bucket! I don't let him too often, but sometimes, hey whatever!

We Love Easter!

I love Easter time- I seem to be a little more thoughtful of spiritual things and love the energy of springtime. Without a doubt, filling my kids' Easter baskets is one of my favorite traditions of the entire year!

Last weekend when the boys were here, we were able to get these few pictures of them in their Easter get-ups (with Conference this weekend, we got them all dressed up the week before). I remember Easter dresses and hats, little white gloves and purses so well as a little girl! And even though I have boys, I plan to make Easter a special time for them that way too :)

Hopefully you take a minute to watch the video above. I am so grateful for my Savior and know that, indeed, He Lives! It is because of Him that everything IS- our families, our goals, our existence, is a result of His Resurrection. Wishing anyone stopping by a very Happy Easter!

Spring Break and Spring Cleaning

For the longest time I've wanted to get our house sprayed down to give the siding a facelift. I even know someone with a pressure washer! ;) Stephen was finally able to get some outside cleaning done last week while Taron and Keaton were with us over the last half of thier spring break. They really enjoyed operating the nozzle and kept asking to do it some more! Now our house looks much better! Bring on the sun to let it shine :)

Clearing debris from our driveway and stripping this bench so I can re-purpose it for our front porch in the process.

Cooper spent the time shoveling rocks into a bucket (he loves shovelling!). And Ryder was happily bundled up in the stroller. Crazy we picked a cold, windy afternoon to do this, but Stephen had told me he would make it happen and didn't want to break his word- you rock, babe!

Thanks Stephen for making this happen, and thanks Taron and Keaton for making the work enjoyable! Don't worry, we really didn't make them work the whole time they were here...

Trip to the Canyon

With the weather warmed up some again, we ventured into the Canyon for some fishing. Cooper finally got to try out his Christmas fishing pole. (After Dad fixed the damage incurred from it having been played with like a sword around the house, that is :) He actually fished for maybe a total of ten minutes, and then got distracted...

Dad kept catching little tiny fish and when he got this one that was about six inches or so, he told Cooper, "He's a Monster!" Cooper wanted so bad to touch it and played with it for most of the time we were at this spot! I know, I know, that's gross, but, it's a boys life around here, remember? ;)

I love this shot of Taron and Keaton :)

Ryder mostly hung out, tucked in his stroller- he really enjoys being outside. Glad I had him to keep me from being too awfully bored!

Awesome Dad and husband :) He's mine.

Taron and Stephen fly fishing side by side- these are proud moments for Stephen! Taron got frustrated at only catching moss, but he really was doing great and gets the hang of it better each time he tries. More to come through the summer no doubt :)

Keaton took over Coop's fishing pole and proceeded to catch moss as well. :) He eventually joined Cooper in playing with the little fish. More than anything we were just happy to be outside and down in the Canyon. There's just something we love about the Snake River Canyon.