The 80's~ Revisited

Well rat my hair, and call me psyched! I love me a good 80's party...

Me and my boy. High~school dance style...
I about had a cow seeing everyone all dressed up!
Awww... is this wicked sweet or what!?
Casey's outfit was totally tubular! Banana~clip and tube socks~ too much!
These guys are bad to the bone... fer sure! Lance, you eating that chewed~up barf flavored jelly~belly was gross~o~rama to the max! But still major funny.
Me on the mic rockin' some 80's tunes~ loved every second of it!Karaoke baby~ ya!

Kelli and Brian singing "We are the Champions"~ for their beloved Dallas Cowboys, of course. And the birthday boy did not disappoint...
Sing it baby! Y~M~C~A... it's fun to stay at the Y~M~C~A!!...
(i've never been so in love;)
Love all these bodacious babes!

Can you believe these shoes I found... so choice.

So fun to party hardy with these guys. Some serious good times!! Nic and I were lulled to sleep with some soft sounds by Kenny G on the i~phone. Gotta love the 80's~ and is it just me, or are we living a revisit. Everywhere I turn they are threatening a come back... I definitely won't complain.

(Especially if I can sport my new kicks~ i'm kinda in love with em';)

Our Weekend

Ummm... The Hunger Games. You've got to be kidding me people!? I had my nose in this book the entire weekend. So morbid~ yet intriguing. Can't wait to dig into Catching Fire...

Friday night was Mexican food and roaming Ikea with the fam, which led to a realization that our house is in need of some love. So Saturday morning I hauled pretty much everything we own down to the basement. That is going to make for either one huge yard sale, or one huge donation:) Next we removed all vinyl lettering, and did some serious patching...

There were all sorts of visions going on, and I think Nic and I put together a pretty good game plan for accomplishing our update. Nothin' too fancy~ just a little spruce up!

Some fun finds from Anthropologie~ that store is happiness.

Some inspirations for the kitchen. Loving the stainless hood, and white brick patterned back~splash. Also, really loving these pendant lights...
With spring cleaning in full effect I dug into my cabinets...
They look and feel so much better.
Drooling over this rug for my entry~way. Lovin' blue's {in all their varieties} and green's {think moss} right now...

And this chandelier from Alice Lane

for above my kitchen table?? Can't get over how much I love it!

Oh! I also hijacked my bed frame over the weekend. Our furniture is getting a shiny new coat of white... so we've been sleeping on our mattress. We've also had a really cute little bunk~mate. Parker sandwiches are the best!

How about some pillow love? Really lovin' that lavender guy~ he is a must!

These pictures melt my heart. My baby girl right there is being registered for kindergarten this week, uhgg! She is so excited, and I am so um...excited for her {not!} Did I just say Not!? Just practicing for an 80's party this weekend:)

Oh, and that is baby Kade in that tiny frame. More than anything else I love love precious baby pictures. These are definitely staying put. Spring is right around the corner, and it feels good to be getting the house in order~ and giving it a fresh new look!! Hopefully I can share the outcome sooner than later:)

post edit note: Ha ha! Just got a quote on that chandelier~ not quite in the budget:) We will have to find a look a like, but a girl can dream~ right?

V~Day and an Epiphany

Valentine's Day was lovely. It started, and ended with large amounts of sugar. Surprise, surprise? We normally start out with heart~shaped waffles and strawberry milk, but it was a busy school morning and I thought this might be a fun change...

Pink milk is a must! And chocolates for breakfast unfortunately, is kinda our style. (though I didn't intend for them to be eaten right away:)

Kaden was the first to wake up and find the goods. He was super excited to find his box of chocolates {he's been dropping hints for a couple weeks now}, and I still can't believe he can read his own card...

When that Daddy~one and the sis joined in, the party really got rollin'...

Parker didn't waste any time diggin' in to his chocolates...

Throughout the day we delivered valentine's to special neighbors and friends. And then, as if we hadn't had enough sugar...

in preparation...

For fondue night!

We were all so happy to have Mimi & Papa, and Gramy & Papa stop by to see us...

We were feelin' pretty loved...

Do you think Ry~bug was enjoying herself?

Me and my valentine. Sure do love this boy~ he is definitely my better half. He keeps me in line, and makes me the happiest girl in the whole world.

For some reason I was lovin' seeing these 5 strawberry milks lined up in the refrigerator. Just wondering if there need to be 6? That is my dilemma right now...

Last night we took our Laurels to the WSU Basketball game. I was feeling grumpy about it. The weather was terrible, and I was really dreading the drive. But in the end we had a great time, and made it back safe and sound. As we pulled into our neighborhood I was mesmerized by the way the snow had frosted each and every tree branch on our street, and with the soft light from the homes illuminating them it was absolutely breathtaking. It made me pause, and remember to notice the beauty around me, and be grateful. Because I truly have so much to be grateful for.

This morning I couldn't help but snap a picture of them...

And my attitude of gratitude has carried into today. I am thankful today that i have the family that I do, for the true joy and happiness they bring me, for our home that is a safe~haven, for good friends and extended family that are always there, that my children have full tummies, that they are growing and learning every day, and that I get to witness it all.

Funny the things that capture your attention, put things into perspective, and help you remember:

"Life is to be enjoyed, not endured."
~Gordon B. Hinckley

Conversation Hearts~

Nothing screams Valentine's Day like conversation hearts. They are not necessarily my favorite candy, but man are they cute! My little sister Cassie found an awesome recipe for them, home~made style... just the way i like em'.

First you are going to take

1 pkg. gelatin

1/2 c. water

2 T. Karo syrup

Whisk together in microwavable bowl. Microwave on high 30 seconds, and whisk again.

Add 2 lbs. powdered sugar, 1 cup at a time~ beat well, put mixer down, pause... continue 1 cup at a time until sugar is gone.

{it is going to get thick! my mixer was smokin':O}
On clean counter surface put down a good amount of powdered sugar, and continue kneading dough until completely combined and smooth. Next, divide into sections (as many as you would like) and one at a time you will flavor and color each section. Roll out 1/4 in. thick, and cut into heart shapes...
Place hearts on wax or parchment paper, and allow several hours to dry...

This is a double batch... it makes a lot of hearts!

Once candy has hardened, you take an edible pen or marker and write sweet nothings on them...

And in the end you will have a sweet, and personalized treat!!

Cassie~ thanks again for this fabulous idea and recipe! We had so much fun making these over the weekend:)

Happy Valentine's Day!!

Flashback Friday

Nic and Parker smooching in the Bear Lake sun... I want to be there right now. My heart is aching at how much my baby has grown up. Why does it have to go so quickly?

In other news~ the kids and I stuffed birds the other night over pizza. I had a blast hanging out with them {the kids, not the birds}, they are hilarious. I still have melted plastic adhered to my fireplace from the bag of stuffing... maybe we should have kept the party in the kitchen:)

Wondering what they are for? Stay tuned, and I just might show you...
Rylie's room is getting close. Now if I could just put this crib in the basement...

I think I can, I think I can. I may, or may not have the heart to follow through. We have filled this crib with our babies for the last 7 1/2 years.

How can I take it down?