the B street posse

We live in an older neighborhood and haven't met very many families with young kids. In the last year or so, kids are starting to show up. I don't know why, but they all congregate in front of our house. It's been fun for our kids to have some friends they can play with that are close.

Don't you just love watching your kids interact with other kids? It's hilarious :)

Valentine wreath

I saw this wreath on a blog called The Idea Room and fell in love with it! (What is it with me and wreaths?) It's a pretty easy and inexpensive project and one that Paige and I could do together.

You need: straight pins, 1 1/2 yards felt, 3 inch circle template (i used a mug) and a styrofoam heart. (I had a hard time finding this, eventually found one at Hobby Lobby for $3)

trace your circles on the felt and cut them out. I didn't count but you need quite a few circles, you want it nice and full (I cut them out while catching up on my recorded shows)

Next, you fold the circle in half and then fold it again. Place a pin at the point and then into the heart.
Just continue the process on the top, inside and outside of the heart...
Next, pin a loop of ribbon on the back and you're done! (I'm going to change the ribbon, I'm not feeling the pink one I have on there. )
If you decide to make one, I'd love to see pictures!
A pink one would be cute too :)

Paige's new haircut

I just love Paige's new haircut! Thanks Ricci!

Words of wisdom to live by

My friend Tara sent me this email and I just have to post it for you. (Thanks Tara!) This was written by Regina Brett of Cleveland, Ohio.

So true and inspiring, enjoy!

To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught
me. It is the most requested column I've ever written.

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come...

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

one more day...

The kids have 1 more day of Christmas vacation. I've put them to work helping me with chores and putting Christmas stuff away. (of course as I'm yelling and having to repeat myself over and over and over...)
I love my children...I love my children dearly...but I am so ready for school to start again :)

Merry Christmas!

Insta-Snow

Mom found this stuff called "Insta-Snow" and sent some to the kids. You mix it with a little water and you have instant snow, smelling of artificial goodness :)

The kids had fun with it, Thanks Mom!

Christmas is only 3 days away! I'm trying to get over a cold, trying to keep the house from being destroyed and trying to keep my sanity intact...I'm failing miserably :)

At least the kids are having fun...

"On the count of 3, throw your snow in the air! Are you ready?One...Two...Three!"

I love these little stinkers :)

love this quote

Traditions offer opportunities to create memories, share love, and build strong bonds between family members. They will not only help your family life be more peaceful and rewarding, they will also give your children memories they can draw on no matter where they go or who they grow up to be.

-Linda and Richard Eyre

December 16th and 17th

I've been taking a lot of pictures lately for this album, it's been a really good thing. Some of the pictures have not been very good (the shadows on some of these are horrible) but it's really all about capturing these moments. Whether the light is good or bad :)

I love the little art projects the kids have been bringing home!

I mentioned a couple of years ago about our Christmas book tradition. It's something the kids really love. This year, they are going to fill in a Christmas memory book. That should be fun.

And the ornaments Ricci and Wes sent to me...I just love them!

Had to throw in a page of purple! (Paige's favorite color)

I can't believe Christmas is a week away...I'm so excited. The real challenge this week is keeping my kids entertained all week...

December Daily 12th-15th

These are the updated pages for my December Daily album.
December 12-15th

Next to Baptism, this is my favorite Primary song. The message is so simple and beautiful.

This project has been so fun! I can't wait until next week, I have some fun Christmas activities planned for the kids :)

life lessons

When I was a 21 year old student going to UVSC and causing some serious trouble in Provo (ha! ha! You don't move to Provo if you're looking for trouble), I did my fair share of just stupid things. I over slept and missed classes one too many times, dated my fair share of psychotic boys and was ranked 13th out of 13 employees in sales at Footlocker in the University Mall where I worked.

Cindy, my wise roommate and friend, reminded me everytime I screwed up, "Kris, you're still a good person." We would laugh about it but to this day, that has really stuck with me. We need to remind each other (and ourselves especially!) that even though we can act like idiots sometimes and we don't live up to the expectations we place on ourselves that we can say,

"You're still a good person!"

and just get on with life.

more December Daily

2 weeks until Christmas!! So excited!

December Daily...making it work

When I started this album, I had the best intentions of doing a page or two a day. Then the reality of life slapped me around and the next thing I know, I'm 3 days behind. So I made a 2 page layout (the blank one is for journaling) for 3 days. Works for me!

I'm still behind 2 days but I've got the pictures and journaling ready, I just need to do it. That would be a good Sunday project for me :)
I also went back to the 6x8 size. This size will be less expensive when I go to print them out. (Costco has a 12x18 size for $2.99. 4- 6x8's per sheet)

pumpkin chocolate chip cookies

I don't care for pumpkin pie but I have to admit I LOVE pumpkin chocolate chip cookies. I've tried a couple of recipes and this one is a winner! (Karin- I used my Penzey's spices and vanilla in these and thought of you! :) Penzey's spices...I need to dedicate a whole post to one of my favorite places on earth!!

Pumpkin Chocolate chip cookies

1/2 c. butter

1 1/2 c. sugar

1 egg

1 c. pumpkin

1 tsp. vanilla

2 1/2 c. flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt

1 tsp. nutmeg

1 tsp. cinnamon

1 1/2 c. chocolate chips (I use the semi-sweet, milk chocolate would be good too)

Cream butter and sugar. Add egg, pumpkin and vanilla. Mix flour, baking powder, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon. Mix with pumpkin mixture. Add chocolate chips. Bake @ 350 for 13-15 minutes on well greased cookie sheet.

December Daily update

I'm still in the process of the December daily album. Wow...I forget how crazy the month of December can get. Not just with the shopping but all the concerts, practices, projects, games and parties that are going on this month. I'm just trying to keep this whole project simple so I can keep up with it.

See the dead, white grass in these soccer pictures? That's the closest thing we get to snow around here :)

December Daily day 1

It's the 1st day of December! I'm so excited for Christmas! I mentioned in a previous post that I'm going to do a December Daily album this year. The task seems daunting but I think it's going to be a lot of fun. The templates I made are the only way I'm going to get this accomplished.
This envelope is going to be for little keepsakes. I plan on binding it into the book.

This is front and back cover of the album. The paper is Making Memories that I've had for years and the Santa is K&Company. I glued 2 pieces of chipboard together so that it's more sturdy and then covered it with paper. I wanted to keep it simple...I think I'll ink or paint the edges in a cream or brown and then bind it all at the end. I'll probably save all the pages I create and just print them all at once at the end. I don't know...we'll see how it all works out...

Today's page. Just used those templates, makes things so much easier. I think I mentioned this before but the pages and book are 6.5 x 8. I made it a little wider for the binding.

If you decide to do this, I would LOVE to see and hear about it! :)

plan B Thanksgiving

We had to cancel our trip to Utah for Thanksgiving at the last minute due to a snowstorm. Gotta love that Utah winter weather ;) We were really sad we couldn't spend the holidays with our family. My parents were just here so we did get to spend time with them.

It was a very relaxing Thanksgiving day, it was really nice.

I bought the kids some crafts and this Christmas Bingo set from Micheals for something to do

the kids loved the Root Beer and the apple pie I made (I made my first pie from scratch this year! I love apple pie...Pioneer Woman's pie crust recipe is delicious however it is not in any way, shape or form good for you. It's Thanksgiving though!)
drumstick #1
drumstick #2...I've laughed so much over this picture! It's disturbing and funny at the same time...
Aaron trying to fix his beloved hot tub.

My name is_________________

{picture taken November 8th}

First laugh, first word, walking for the first time, and one of my all-time favorites...learning to use the potty! ;)

Another one of those milestones that I just love is when my kids learn to spell and write their name. A couple of weeks ago, I was doing something (it was most likely either laundry or dishes) and Hes came up to me holding this paper and said, "Look Mom! It's my name!"

I grabbed my camera and took this quick picture...that smile says it all. :)

So You Think You Can Dance tour

Mom and I went to the SYTYCD tour on Wednesday and it was so awesome!!!

This was right before the show. When we sat down, we were so excited to be so close to the stage. The bummer is the stage is eye level and when people are sitting in front of you, it can be hard to see. It was fine though.

There were the top 7 dancers from season 7 (Lauren, Kent, Robert, Adechike, Billy, Jose and Ashley)

and 6 all-stars (Russell, Allison, Dominque, Courtney, Ade and Kathryn)

the baseball routine (was originally danced by Neil and Kent) was one of my favorites from this season. But I was very happy to see Ade dance with Kent (Ade and Twitch were my favorites from season 4)

The hotdog guy...I have no idea what that was all about. He just came out after they finished dancing.


Kathryn and Russell. Russell won season 6 and Kathryn was the runner-up. I really liked this hip hop dance.








This was the dance that Kent and Neil did this season called "How it Ends". Wasn't this dance so emotional? Robert danced it with Kent and I loved it!

The crowd LOVED Kent. They went nuts for him! I really liked Kent but Robert was my favorite guy this season.

Group Jazz number
Lauren and Ade doing the couch dance

I love this picture! Thank goodness I had my zoom lens...
Ade and Lauren got a lot of love! They are both from Phoenix
group Bollywood dance...it made so tired just watching it!
Robert and Dominque and the clown hip hop dance. Another favorite of mine, the crowd loved it.
Lauren and Adechike. The performed "Fallin" that was originally danced by Adechike and Comfort.
Kent after his solo. Again, the crowd went crazy for him. He was mom's favorite this season ;)

Jose, Dominque and Russell did a hip-hop/crunk routine that stole the show! This was our favorite dance of the whole night!

Jose
These guys are so good!

Ade and Billy's "Mad World" dance. I love watching Ade dance...he is so powerful yet really graceful.

Lauren. Lots of love for her, of course :)

Allison and Robert's "Fix You". I bawled my eyes out when I saw this dance the first time. Seeing them dance it live was breathtaking. They are all exceptional dancers. However, there are certain dancers that give you the audience every ounce of what they have. That connection...these two poured everything they had into this dance and you could just feel it!

The show in Phoenix was the last one for the tour and you could tell it was emotional for them. Robert was so gracious after every number. I enjoyed watching him the most because I felt he really connected to the audience. Allison was my favorite girl...that Utah girl can DANCE!

Kent and Lauren's Prom night dance...the kids in the crowd went nuts

Dominque added so much fun to the show. He got all serious like he was going to propose to Lauren and then asked her if he could have half of her winnings.

She told him no and then he went to Russell and asked the same thing, it was funny

It was a great show!!