In and Out (projects, not burger)

Look, Ma! No sod!

  Hey, look here! We have grass! This is so exciting, I can't even tell you how happy this sight makes me. Real grass in my backyard! Our house faces west so our backyard is shady in the afternoon/evening. This grass is going to up my yard's awesome factor a thousand points. It has been so hot, we are trying to keep it wet and alive! The gravel I'm standing on to take this pic has a future as a huge, beautiful patio! Next year, maybe.

Preslie's room has been so fun to put together. I can't stand it. The ideas are flowing into my brain faster than my hands can produce them. I love it when that happens. Usually it is the other way around..my hands are willing, but my brain's got nothin.

 It is bright white in her room and I love that it doesn't feel like a dark basement. I knew it needed a cool focal wall. Something bold, but subtle. Is that possible? Can something be bold and subtle at the same time? I found out the answer is a definite YES..

BEFORE

AFTER!

 It's subtly bold. Boldly subtle? And it was easy to do. I found the center of the wall. I found a long, straight edge (I used a piece of baseboard sitting in my basement) and had Preslie hold it up at different angles until I found the one I liked- not too slanted, just enough. Then I drew a line from the top corner of the wall to the middle line and did the same on both sides. I made my chevron stripes 12 inches thick. I started with 8 inches but they looked too narrow for the size of the wall and for the look I wanted. I drew all my lines one day and taped and painted the next day. I grabbed a can of paint from under my stairs that was another shade of white to do the design so this project cost me nothing except some painters tape.

 

Here's Preslie's cute desk corner. Her chair is waiting for a cushion cover to be made so is currently non-functional but super cute.

 I have about 7 more little projects to do in her room and it will be "done". If anyone comes to visit me, you can stay in Preslie's room!

Party (x4)

 June was party month for my side of the family. My youngest brother Trent got married June 14 and we crammed all the fun and parties we could into that weekend while we were all together.
Party 1 was the annual Grandkid B-day party where my parents celebrate all their grandchildren's birthdays in one day. My parents took everyone to Toys 'R Us and all the kids got to pick out a present. They look forward to this with great excitement! The older ones get cash, but everyone has fun seeing the kids pick out their toys!

 All the kids took a turn hitting the pinata! My Mom made these darling elephant and giraffe cakes and my bro Tyrel altered them a bit...

Grandpa held a bow and arrow contest.

Of course the kids played with their new toys. Quinn picked out a princess carriage.

 We did some night jumproping! Super fun and a great workout. The adults had as much fun as the kids. Mack tried jumprope for the first time and loved it!

 Party 2: Trent's wedding. Already having so much fun, here are Hunter and Quinn on the way to the wedding. This is a definite warning sign of breakdowns to come...

 The wedding was beautiful. Marriage is a wonderful thing. I am so happy for Trent and Kenzi

 Here are my 4 brothers! 2 older, 2 younger. I should have gotten a pic of me in the middle. That is how I grew up- surrounded by crazy boys! I love them dearly.

 The happy couple sealed the deal with a serious kiss!

All my parents' grandkids in one place. Quinn was the most darling flower girl.

Party 3: Aubrae's Utah reception. I went to her wedding and reception in Hawaii. While decorating for this one, I said I was having major deja vu and my bro-in-law said, "Yeah, the only bad part is that we can't go play at the beach afterward!"

Cousins make the bestest friends!

3 generations of sweet and/or spunky girls!

Party 4: Sawyer's baby blessing. My brother Tyrel gave a beautiful blessing to his first baby and really shocked a couple of my kids that he could be so serious/spiritual. He is usually such a goofball and always joking around. He is a fun dad, borderline crazy. This is a picture of baby Sawyer underneath my Mom's glass table with his nose pressed up against the glass- totally Tyrel.

Tyrel is one of my favorite people. I love his happy and adventurous personality. He is also creative and can build anything just like my Mom. He built this cool old looking trunk for Trent and Kenzi and we all filled it with gold Sacajewea dollars for their wedding present.

We had so much fun and packed in so many special events. My sister came from Florida, my brother from Alaska and my sister from Idaho came. Also my niece and her husband came from Hawaii. It was so neat to spend that time together with each other. I took my kids to Cowabunga bay with some of their cousins after the main parties were over. I had good walks/talks with my sisters. My dad had us do a marshmallow shooting war (he's the biggest kid of all). When I pulled out of my parents driveway to go home, I got choked up. It was hard to say goodbye. It may be another year before we are all together again. I am grateful for a wonderful family that I love dearly and for my parents for raising us all those years. I miss my sister Tiphanie that left us in 2001 but I know she watches over us. Looking forward to giving her a big hug some day. And looking forward to the next big family party! Until we meet again!