Before & After

A month or so ago, James & I started work on this dresser that I bought from an online garage sale. We turned this....

Into this media console.

It was a lot of fun to work on together and we're pretty happy with how it turned out. The paint was more blue than gray, but it's growing on me (and it's not a bright blue as it looks in the picture). Now we're excited for another big project...

January Instagrams

Since I publish my blog into books each year (via Blurb), I want to include my Instagram pictures. I use Instagram way more often than I blog--I love that it captures the little details of day-to-day. The silly, the sweet, the simple things that define our life. So I'll have one post each month that I will update with my Instagram photos/captions from that month (unless I've already posted those pics as part of a different post). So here's January so far...

This girls cracks me up! She sure loves her #sleepmask!

1.5.12

She wasn't excited about this picture...but she was excited about her first day in #primary as a #sunbeam!

1.6.12

Hanging out with my little BFF at school. #kindergarten #lovehercuteface

1.7.12

Family lunch date at #caferio

1.8.12

Yet another trip to good ol #homedepot. #projecttime #diy #hopeitturnsoutasgoodasitisinmyhead!

1.9.12

I just thought this was pretty cute. Imagine how it will be when they're teenagers! ;)

1.11.12

#datenight #sawlesmiserables #amazing

1.12.12

Trying to sing this little stinker to sleep. 

#shesnotbuyingit #nightowl #atleastigottoholdhercutelittlehand 

1.16.13

This looks like the handiwork of Claire.

1.18.13

Dad took the older girls on a date!

@thebengaltheatre #cantbeatdollarmovies

1.19.13

Sissies! #socute #lovewhentheygetalong

1.20.13

Tag: 5 Things you may not know about me:

1. I skipped 4th grade

2. I've lived in 8 states (NH, ID, NE, AZ, WA, TX, NV, CA)

3. I am NOT an animal lover

4. I can probably quote every episode of Saved by the Bell

5. I have a major sweet tooth!

1.27.13

James decided to make an #applepie before church. #themancandoitall

 1.28.13

The birthday chain is hung! 

#letthecountdownbegin #avristurningsix #shesprettyexcited #soami 

#exceptthatmeansmybabyisgrowingup #sniffle #hashtaghappy

1.29.13

Such a good big sis

1.30.13

"This book has tons of sight words, Mom!"

I got this for myself at the library, but Avri grabbed it off the pile and is fascinated by it. #shehasntputitdownsinceweleftthelibrary

1.31.13

Movie on a school night?!? #dadsidea ;) #hoteltransylvania

Sledding

Monday afternoon we braved the cold and had a fun time sledding!! Avri LOVED it, and went over and over and over! (I love that she is rocking James' ski goggles. :)) Emery was not as much of a fan, but was still a pretty good sport. At the bottom of the hill was a playground, and she was much happier playing on that. Claire and I took a break warming up in the car after awhile, but then she was ready to do a couple more runs with Dad. Avri and Emery were even going down on their bums (no sleds) toward the end. When everyone was done we headed home and warmed up with some hot chocolate! So glad we had an extra day to spend together!

{Poor attempt at a group shot ;)}

Baby, It's COLD Outside!

We had great plans to go sledding on Saturday since we found the perfect sledding hill!! But since it is SOOOOO cold, we had to go for Plan B. I organized a little indoor scavenger hunt for the girls, made lists for three different stores, and then we headed on our way. The first stop was Petco, and of course the girls LOVED it. Next stop was Dick's Sporting Goods, and our last stop was good ol' Walmart. It was fun to do something new and free! :) The girls earned a prize for completing their lists: a one dollar bill which they happily spent on new coloring books at the dollar store. :)

*Take a picture with something furry

 

Emery wanted me to take a picture of her giving this mannequin a hug. Too funny!

  *Find something that bounces

 *Take a picture with a silly hat on

Nursery

Claire turned 18 months old at the end of December. That wonderful, golden age when she is able to attend Nursery at church. Unfortunately she was sick the first two weeks, but today she was finally well enough to go. She walked right in and began playing. Not too long after, I went in to deliver the roll to Nursery (I'm the Primary Secretary). Well that was a bad idea! As soon as she saw me she started crying and ran toward me. I tried to distract her and slipped out really quick, hoping she would settle down and go back to playing. Nope. The poor thing wasn't having it. We have 1:00 church and she has been refusing her morning naps, so she was definitely over tired to top it all off! I'm hoping we can get her back into her routine so she can enjoy going to Nursery (and so I can do what I need to without my little shadow ;), and James can be in his meetings). Crossing my fingers!

Here's the little cutie before church today. 

That darling headband lasted just long enough to take the picture.

Banana Jumbos

What better way to start off 2013 than with a yummy recipe that will distract you from your New Year's resolution to eat healthier... :)

The other day James was bragging to his co-workers about these cookies, so I figured I better make some for him to take to work so he could back-up his talk! ;) These cookies are one of our very favorites, they are SOOO good! I got the recipe from my good friend Brittany years ago!

Banana Jumbos
Yield: 3 dozen

1/2 c. butter or margarine
1/2 c. shortening
1 c. sugar
2 eggs
1 c. mashed ripe bananas (3-4)
1/2 c. buttermilk (or add 1/2 Tbsp vinegar or lemon juice to 1/2 c. milk)
1 tsp. vanilla extract
3 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt

In a large bowl combine first four ingredients. Mix well. Add bananas, buttermilk, and vanilla. Sift flour, soda, salt, and stir into batter. Chill 1 hour.

Drop by spoonful on greased cookie sheet. Bake at 375 for 10-12 minutes. Cool and frost with cream cheese frosting

*And you better believe they got rave reviews at James' work. :)