Our Outdoor Thanksgiving

For several years now, my sister and I have dreamt of an outdoor table set for Thanksgiving just like you seen in the magazines. It always has ended up being too cold or windy, but this year, it finally happened. The weather was just about perfect, so we moved the tables outside and we celebrated our Thanksgiving in my sister's backyard.

We had a kids' table and an adult table simply adorned with a white sheet on one and a matlesse on the other with a few fall runners I made a few years ago. I topped them with some free pumpkins and gourds that I got at a church pumpkin patch the day after Halloween.

My neices were in charge of the "thankful" bucket and they had everyone fill out what they were thankful for on a sheet of paper and drop it in the bucket. They read these aloud to everyone once we finished eating. It was fun to hear what everyone came up with, especially the kids! Their answers were so sweet and simple.

Our simple harvest table. Did I mention that I love Fall?!!

All the most important people in my life...I feel so thankful for family.

These special peeps make every holiday more fun...We ate till our bellies were too full, then I crafted with the girls, the boys played football, and we sat around the fire outside and just talked. What a fun day!

I had a very enjoyable and memorable Thanksgiving. I feel God has blessed me beyond what I can even measure or fathom. I have so much to cherish here on earth, but the best gift still awaits, and that is eternal life with my Savior, Jesus Christ. I am so thankful to know He is preparing a special (and perfect) place for me in heaven with Him. Wow! Now that is good news!

I hope you had a good Thanskgiving too. Now onto Christmas decorating, shopping, and birthday planning for a special little girl...tis the season to be busy!

Busy Enjoying Spring...

I guess I have been taking an unplanned blogging break. I have been busy enjoying spring and all that it has to offer. Along with all the flowers and sunshine comes a busier season at school with fun activities and end of the year "stuff". I can't believe that there are only 3 weeks of school left!

I am including lots of pictures of some things we did on spring break, Easter, and just some everyday fun. We have been up to...

Playing one of the Three Little Pigs in the school play. Wish I could include a video. It was priceless!

Hanging out with the apes at the zoo.

Being completely amazed at the giraffes!

Petting some goats and sheep with a special hand brush. (I guess this is supposed to be more sanitary???)

Monkeying around a little.

Growling like a lion.... Brayden was most excited to see the lions out of all the animals at the zoo.

Decided to join in on some silliness and monkeyed around myself.



Found a tire in someone's trash and washed it up for a new tire swing.




Now daddy is monkeying in the tree putting up the tire swing.

It works! Can't decide who likes it the most...me or the kids. Brayden loves for grandma to push him.

More tree climbing...what is it with this family and trees?

We baked some Hummingbird Nests. The recipe is from Family Fun. I love that website!

Had an adorable Easter party at school. Did I mention that I love kindergarten?

Went to a egg hunt in the neighborhood. There were 1800 eggs hidden!

We tried our skills at the 3-legged race. I secretly am so competitive in this game!

A spring party is not complete without a potato sack race. I wanted to take some of these sacks home, but they did not offer any to me even after I talked about how cool they were. Bummer!




Makenna made some bunny and Easter basket cupcakes. The recipe came from Family Fun again. They do have coconut on them which is so yummy to me, but not everyone likes it. I found that out when everyone was asking for a plain one!




My sweet angels on Easter. I was so excited that Brayden smiled this year for pictures! He hid behind the tree for most of the other pictures though.



I know she won't always want to match me, so I am eating it up while I can...

The annual family egg hunt was in our yard this year. We like to keep it interesting by hiding them in unexpected places.

I just love that the kids have their cousins so close. They are like my own kids too. They have such fun together! We enjoyed celebrating that our Savior is risen. How exciting to know that he is preparing a place for me (and you) in heaven. Each year I grow older, I am more amazed at God's love for me!

Meanwhile, I got a wild hair to rip this molding off the wall in the foyer. More on that to come...let me just say that sheetrock repair is not my gift!

Thanks for checking out what we have been up to. Can't promise my posts will be too regular until summer gets here. I can't wait to show you my foyer transformation though.

Merry Christmas from our Home to yours!

This is our annual trip to visit Santa in front of the tallest Christmas tree I have ever seen.

A rare pic of just me and my handsome hubby.

I got to be in the Santa picture this year. Brayden did not want to get too close, but wanted to say hello. Makenna asked Santa to bring me a purse this year since mine broke at Target a while back....so sweet of her! He brought me one and I LOVE it! I'll share a picture later...

There is nothing better than excited kids in their Christmas P.J.'s on Christmas morning!

We got an extra special surprise this year...a WHITE Christmas! It is beautiful outside! We don't see these things in my neck of the woods. Supposedly this is the first Christmas snow with accumulation since the 1890's. So cool!

Makenna even brought baby Frosty to life.

This one word describes our Christmas day. It is such a blessing to celebrate the birth of my Savior, Jesus Christ, with my family. I feel blessed beyond measure by the grace He pours out on my life daily. Merry Christmas!

Mother's Day and a Vinyl Lettering giveaway

I had a fun Mother's Day weekend. Bryce took me on a date on Friday night. We saw a movie at the school and ate dinner there. We had a good time, but we had to leave early because the movie was not one that was appropriate for kids to watch. Go figure, at the elementary school! Bryce was a good sport about it and next time, we will go to our own movie.

They served me breakfast in bed along with sweet homemade cards, roses cut from the backyard, and a decorating magazine from my hubby. Does he know me or what?

We had a good morning at church and then spent the afternoon with my mom. I felt very special and blessed! When Makenna would be cranky, Bryce would say, "It's Mother's Day, you are supposed to be nice to mom." He is getting the hang of this!

I also won a giveaway from Twice As Nice Lettering! It is a Welcome sign that is supposed to go on the front door, but it would not fit on mine, so I put it in the foyer. I love it and it's so easy to put on. You just take the backing off and stick it to the wall. Rub it so it sticks good.

Then peel the front paper off slowly making sure the letters are sticking to the wall.

Here it is! A hand painted look without the work or mess! I love the bird accent. Thanks Twice as Nice Lettering for my prize! I can't wait to order some more! Check out their site. They have lots of choices and great prices. I added some pics of other vinyl lettering around my house.

Here is the laundry room. Our laundry is not always simple though...wishful thinking!

Our bedroom.

Above the mantle in the living room. Go and try some for yourself here. It really adds a personal touch.

I Love Spring!

We had a great spring break! Here are some of the things we did. This one is me and my older two climbing the mountain. It was their first time and they loved it!

They made it to the top with their cousins. They were glad to be done climbing.

After our annual easter egg hunt on Easter afternoon at my sister's house.

The kids built a fort in the backyard to play in. This is their restaurant. They even decorated the tables. Like mother...like children! I love it.

Here is the house part complete with clothesline and hooks on the fence for their bags. Very inventive!

Brayden loved the surprises in the Easter eggs.

Our family on Easter. He is Risen! We have lots to celebrate.

My kids out front before church. This is the best I could do with all three of them. Brayden does not stay still for long.

My pretty daffodils, bunny, and a polka dot plate I found at Goodwill with my friend Elise.

A sweet spring table set in Makenna's room for her doll tea parties. The flower in the paper cup is just priceless and her blanket for the tablecloth! I just love that girl! Happy Spring!