Craft it forward!

So, here's how this game works-the first 3 people to leave a comment on this post will receive, at some point during the year, a handmade gift from me. What it will be and when it will arrive is a total surprise! The catch is that you must participate as well. Before you leave your comment, write up a pay it forward post on your blog to keep the fun going (or be lazy and copy and paste like I did). Then come back, let me know you're going to play and sit back and anticipate the arrival of your gift! Well isn't this fun?

Another scrap project

I made these out of some scrap boards Randy had lying around in the garage after the pinewood derby last year. It has taken me a year to finish it but I love it! I just mod podged some scraps of paper I had in my stash and painted some chip board letters that I glued on top.

We woke up to a couple of inches of snow this morning and it snowed off and on all day. It melted in time for the easter egg hunt but it was still cold.


Here are some action shots of some of the kiddos. I didn't get a pic of them all.
We enjoyed a lovely indoor pic nic at Grandma Davis' house.

Happy 39th!

Look who turned 39 today!

Yes, that means next year is the big 4-0.

Thats okay honey, I love you anyway.

I love that I can laugh at you and call you a red neck and you laugh right along with me.

I love that you can fix/build anything.

I love your cheesy eggs and chocolate chip cookies. No matter how hard I try mine just don't taste as good.

I love that you are such a hard worker.

I love how you play with the kids and teach them Book of Mormon stories.

I love how you look in a suit and sunglasses.

I love how you help me see the bright side of everything.

I love your favorite saying "love can get you through times with no money better than money can get you through times with no love."

This is starting to sound pretty sappy so I will stop right there.

Happy Birthday Randy! I love you!

Cody is #1!

Cody has done it again! He took first place in the pinewood derby again this year. We were so excited for him since this was his last year to race. He made his car into a skate board, it was so cool. Randy helped him make the car but Cody did a lot of the work himself. Now it is on to district! Good luck Cody!

Happy late Valentines Day!

We celebrated Valentines day a few days late because Randy was out of town, but it was just as sweet as ever.


I made these Pottery Barn inspired Valentines holders last year for the kiddos. I hung them on the kitchen chairs the night before Valentines day and filled them with Valentines and chocolate.

I had a big meal planned but decided to hold off until Randy returned home. I did however, make the appetizers I had planned to make since the avocados were ripe and I couldn't stand it any more. I found this recipe for The Cheesecake Factory's avocado rolls on Recipe Zaar. They were so yummy. My kids even liked them. I was so happy to find this recipe. Now I just need to learn how to make cheesecake like they do.


Avocado Rolls
2 avocados, diced
2 TB sun dried tomatoes in oil, diced
1 TB minced red onion
1/2 t fresh cilantro, chopped
1 pinch salt
4 egg roll wraps
1 egg, beaten

Stir together avocado, tomatoes, onion cilantro and salt. Spoon filling into egg wrapper. Brush edges of wrapper with egg and fold up. Fry 3-4 min. Drain on a paper bag. Serve with dipping sauce.

Dipping Sauce
3 t white vinegar
1 t balsamic vinegar
1/2 t tamarind pulp
1/4 c honey
1 pinch saffron
1/2 c chopped cashews
2/3 c fresh cilantro
2 garlic cloves
2 green onions
1 TB sugar
1 t black pepper
1 t cumin
1/4 c olive oil

Combine vinegars, tamarind pulp, honey, and saffron in a small bowl. Microwave until the tamarind pulp is dissolved. Pour all ingredients in the blender except the olive oil. Puree until smooth. Stir in the olive oil and refrigerate.

The sauce really makes this dish. I made the sauce without the tamarind pulp and the saffron and it was still really yummy. I couldn't find tamarind pulp in any of our grocery stores, but I did find places to buy it online. Saffron is about 14 dollars for 5 little pieces so I decide to leave it out also. It made plenty of sauce so I froze it for the next time. I made them again when Randy got home and he loved it!


Here is my Valentine! Isn't he cute? He's so good to me, I couldn't have picked a better one!

Valentine crafts and a cutie!

I have been working on some cute Valentines crafts.

I grabbed a couple of old boards out of my Dad's burn pile, printed out some letters on the computer, and turned them into this! So cute! I love it!

The topiary is made from scrapbook paper. I downloaded the pattern from Heather Bailey's blog.
Here is a pink one.


Here is the cutie!

More Valentines fun tomorrow! I can't wait!

In pursuit of excellence!

We had an enrichment meeting the other night in which we were encouraged to use the pursuit of excellence book this year to set goals. I have already accomplished one of my goals for this year and am working on some more.

Last year I ran the two mile run in London's run. I didn't feel like I did very well. This year my goal was to beat last years time and to run it in less than 20 minutes. I didn't know if I would make the last goal because when I ran at home I could only get down to 20 min 45 seconds. We took the whole family and went to the "big city" for the run last weekend. They didn't take official time for the two mile run like they did last year but Randy's sister Jenny loaned me a stop watch. My "unofficial" time was 19 min 6 seconds. I was so excited! Next year Jenny and I are going to run the 10k so I still have some work to do. I have a goal to run a 5k this summer to help me get in shape for next year. We forgot to take pictures this year.



After the run Randy took me to Hobby Lobby. I have heard so much about it and was dying to go. It did not dissapoint. I got some fabric for a quilt I am going to make for my bed. The rest of the fabric came from my sweet aunt Carla who is going to teach me how to quilt. I have always wanted to learn, so one of my goals this year is to finish a quilt.


Speaking of excellence. Look what Natalie made for me.


I was having "one of those days" the other day. I was feeling bummed about Randy working out of town. I went to my room and sat on my bed and when I looked behind me this cute little bird was sitting on my pillow. Natalie knowing of my love for birds made this for me. She is so sweet. She is always making little things for people. She drew this herself. I was so impressed with her creativity. Thanks Natalie, you are a sweetie.

Happy Birthday Jacob!

Jacob is 6 today! We had a two hour delay for school today because of the snow. Jacob opened presents then we went to play in the snow before school. Jacob loves playing in the snow, school and video games. He is such a sweet boy and a very good artist (he gets that from his grandmas). Happy birthday Jake! We love you!

The stockings were hung!

Christmas came and went in a blur this year. Stockings were hung, gingerbread houses were constructed and destructed, the nativity was acted out, goodies were eaten, gifts were wrapped and unwrapped, and Christmas cards were sent. We were so blessed to be able to celebrate the birth of the Savior with our family and loved ones this year. We hope your Christmas was wonderful too!
Two of the wise men. Don't they look wise?


Sweet little Mary and Joseph.



Christmas pajamas. A Christmas eve tradition.

Opening presents Christmas morning!

Natalie's Baptism

Natalie was baptized and confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints on November 29, 2008. It was a special day for our family. Natalie was all smiles and very excited to be baptized. We are so proud of her. She is always reminding us to say family prayer. She recently took our family challenge to read her scriptures every day for a month. She started over a few times but was determined, and finally completed it about a month ago. She is a sweet girl and we are so glad she is part of our family. Thanks to all our friends and family who came to see Natalie be baptized.

Happy Birthday Natalie!

I'm a few days late but I wanted to say happy birthday to my girl! Natalie turned 8 on November 7th. She is so much fun to have around. Here is a picture of the birthday banner I made for Natalie and Hailey's birthdays.

Here is the sweet birthday girl ready to open her presents.

Natalie and Hailey each got a baby kitty for their birthday from Grandma. They are named Shadow and Boo. Dad can't stay away from them even though he is allergic. They are so cute!

We love you Naty! We hope you had a great day!

Halloween cuties!

Halloween is so fun! I love dressing up the kids an taking tons of pictures before we go trick-or-treating. This year I made 4 of the kids costumes. It was a lot of work but so fun to see them all dressed up Halloween night.
Natalie was a cute witch.

Kyle was a pirate. He is holding one of our new kitties that we got Halloween night.

Hailey was a witch also. She is holding the other kitty. We had to be careful not to let her squish it to death.

Jacob was a bank robber. What a cute boy!

Cody is obsessed with The Magic Treehouse books so he chose to be Merlin the Magician.

This has been the year of the bat for Lucas. He is crazy about everything Batman so of course that is who he had to be. He had a mask that he wore trick-or-treating but I love to see his cute little face.

We didn't end up with near as much candy this year, but that was just fine with me. It was lots of fun!