Parker's 4th Birthday~

We had a pretty special birthday boy, our Parke turned 4 years old! How can this be? Those who know us well, know we are at our best on laid back-jammie sort of days. Something about {no agenda} that is so refreshing, and perfect for a celebration...

The opening of the gifts~ this boy is obsessed with Lego Ninjago, and that is all he wished for!

So donning his new Ninjago jammies, and building his new Ninjago Lego set he was happy as a little lark!

And who needs cake, when you can have a cookie? Parker's one request was homemade chocolate chip cookies, his favorite! As promised, here is the recipe~ it's a good'n!

{fyi~ this makes a huge batch, i usually half the recipe,

or make it and freeze half the dough for later}

Best Ever Chocolate Chip Cookies

1 lb. butter, softened

2 c. brown sugar

1 1/2 c. white sugar

2 T. vanilla

3 eggs

5 1/2-6 c. flour

1 1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. salt

1 pkg. chocolate chips {Guittard milk chocolate are my fav}

1 c. nuts {optional}

Cream sugars and butter for 10 minutes. Add vanilla and eggs and beat 3 more minutes. Combine all dry ingredients and add. Beat 3 more minutes, and drop onto greased cookie sheet. Bake 10 minutes at 350 degrees. You may also add oats, or coconut for variation;)

Enjoy!

And the remainder of his day was as follows...

Sportin his new bike helmet, shades, and flip flops that he hand-picked himself.

He is one cool kat! ;)

Rylie playing with bugs again...

You don't have to smile for pictures on your birthday if you don't want to, we decided:)

Parker is adventurous, full of zest, fiesty, stubborn, loving, tender-hearted, and sweet to the bone. Can't imagine our family without him in it:)

Happiest Birthday wishes angel boy~

You make us smile every day.

~xo

laundry gone cheerful

I'm not even sure how this latest laundry room re-do came to pass...

I think it all started when I got the itch to paint those cabinets white. It is a pretty beensie room, and it was feeling sort of dark and dreary. I mean, who wants a dark and dreary laundry room? Laundry is daunting enough as it is, may as well do it in a cheery room, eh? So I disassembled those cabinets{a little nervously, i must admit} and got to town refinishing them in a shiny coat of white~

Next, I decided to brighten up those walls! After a first coat of pale yellow I was not sold, and went with this pale blue instead...

cabinets before~

cabinets after~ ah, happy:)

This chalkboard/coat hook wall we actually put up a couple years ago, so the kiddos would have a place to doodle, and hang their school garb. It has been a fun addition~

a preview of what this room uuuusually looks like, unfortunately. Although, I have to say it has been much more intising to keep it clean now;)

and after~

While we're speaking laundry, I have to send a shout out to the homemade detergent recipe I found on pinterest. I have been using it for several months now, and am quite enjoying it!

Recipe found here. I've altered it a bit, to 1 1/2 c. of the washing soda, and borax, to one bar of Fels Naptha. Super easy, huge money saver, and just makes me feel better knowing what's in it!

And a little bit, goes a long way! You only need between one and two tablespoons per batch, depending on what it is you are washing.

Another favorite is this lavender water~ instruction here.

So many different ways to use this, it has changed my world.

So there you have it folks, a bit of laundry goodness.

Happy Monday.

~xo

choose happy~

This week started out pretty crummy, to be perfectly honest. Sick kiddos, work drama, single-mom status, lonely. So many thoughts running through my scrambled brain, I can't even see straight. And I am in serious need of sleep~ never good;) I am feeling empty, yet full. Wanting, yet satisfied. Happy, yet sad. Guilty, yet justified. What is that all about? Maybe I should just chalk it up to January~ hmm?

I've decided that every one of us have our ups and downs. That's the way it is supposed to be, right? Opposition in all things. It is what makes us appreciate the good, even if it is in the midst of the bad.

I feel so blessed really, lots of goodness in my week as well. A beautiful/happy ending wedding reception, birthday luncheon with some gal pals, my baby boy's basketball game, book club~ awesome, lots of progress with a personal goal, started reading the Book of Mormon{not the pictured reader, the real deal} with our kiddos-huge!, and started in with my spring training{core baby! my abs are hating me right now}

It sure has been chilly around these parts. What is it about icicles, they are just so beautiful~ and tasty;)

love my Kade~man playin' tough!

butterfly kisses~

Fridays have somehow morphed into our 'play-date day.' It is early-out for the school kiddos, and somehow they all gravitate towards our home. We always have a pretty good crowd, and although things get a little rowdy~ I thoroughly enjoy it! Today was no different, it was gang-busters! I even had a couple of my favorite gals wander over, and chat the afternoon away over blueberry bread from Meg. Good therapy:) I had a sweet tooth, so we made sugar cookies. The kiddos are huge fans of cookie decorating~

I might need to share this recipe~

It's a good'n. Like really, you should make these asap!

Sugar Cookies

Cream 1 c. softened butter

Add 1 c. sugar

Beat until fluffy, then add 2 eggs

1/2 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. baking soda

1 tsp. baking powder

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. almond extract {i'm an addict}

Then add 3 c. flour, alternating with

1/2 c. sour cream

Chill overnight, or for several hours. Roll out about 1/4 in. thick, and cut into desired shapes. Place on greased cookie sheet, and bake 8-10 minutes at 375 degrees. Frost with buttercream frosting.

Buttercream Frosting

1 stick butter, softened {not melted}

Beat this until fluffy, then add half bag of powdered sugar. Thin with very minimal amounts of milk. Repeat this process with the powdered sugar, then milk, to desired consistency. Flavor with 1 tsp. vanilla{or vanilla bean paste, my fav}, and 1 tsp. almond, pinch of salt, and colorings of your choice. Frost away~ and enjoy!

And while Nic is away, the babiest one is sharing my bed. I pretty much love it with all my heart. We read the same two books each night. Toy Story 2 {surprise, surprise}, and George Shrinks{a family favorite}.

Too many good things going on to wallow in the bad.

Happiness is a choice.

And when given the choice, why not choose happy?

~xo

this and that~

Hey there, remember me?

Funny how a few days can turn into a few weeks before I even know what hit me. Doesn't help that I've had my nose in this book~So, so sad to see it end. Absolutely adored this book. Definitely tops my list of favorites, it is a must read:) We celebrated Gramy's birthday over pizza and birthday cake~

It was sorta sweet to see these three headed out the door to their "Daddy's and Donuts" morning at school~

Our latest and greatest after school snack~

Chocolate Peanut Butter Banana Smoothies

2 c. chocolate soymilk

1 ripe banana

1/2 c. peanut butter {Adam's is our fav}

2 heaping T. flax seed

1 1/2 c. ice

Blend and enjoy!

I always appreciate a little help in the kitchen:) If you look closely at Parke's pants, you will notice one leg has been completely riped wide open... ugg, that's my crazy boy!

Kade started up with basketball again~

We were so proud of the way he got out there and played hard!

Rylie and her sweet gal~pal Kendal...

More action on the court~

And the cheering section~

Made a new wreath for the front door~

Inspired by these~

A few months back I recycled Kade's old pants into these little pretties for a fundraiser. They were a big hit, and I was happy to see them sell:) Moral of the story~ use those old pants for good! They can be very useful.

Spiced up the front porch a bit~

And now I am up to my elbows in other projects. The laundry room is getting some love, hope to share that with you soon. Hope January is treating you well.

~xo

Love the weekends~

Our days have gotten so busy, I am really enjoying our weekends.

I love a good fall~cleaning, just as much as spring. Sissy and I organized and cleaned out the garage, thinking that cooler weather was on it's way... ha! Ya, right:) The kiddos have still been enjoying some bike-riding, sprinkler's & water balloons, and playing outside with their friends. You'd think it was still summer around here~ if it weren't for the crazy schedule we've been keeping. We are back to soccer, football, dance, homework, weekly allergy shots {poor Kade}, and scouts... throw canning in the mix and I am about ready to pull my hair out! Teasing~ but close:) I love when sis helps me out though~ makes my heart happy.

Nic and his dad had this really awesome idea to go jump out of an airplane,

and of course we had to go watch...

Parke pointing up~ yup, that is where your Dad is headed buddy.

At this point I am pretty much freaking out {and thinking it is really awesome all at the same time} I could hardly see the little speck of an airplane. Then one by one, I could see these tiny colored dots start coming out. If you look close in this picture you can see them~

I had no idea which one was Nic, so I just started snapping pictures of them as my camera could actually start to focus on them. There is my baby up there~ high, high, in the sky sky {as my kiddos would say}...

I was so happy to see him on the ground...

This was pretty darn cute to see Nic and his dad walking back together. Feet on the ground, safe and sound... and ready to throw up! Ha ha! Unfortunately, they both got a little motion sick.

But they were greeted with open arms...

The airplane was a little noisy...

Such a fun atmosphere~ next time it's my turn, and Nic can sit on the ground with knots in his stomach;) It was kind of torture watching.

Since we were in O~town, we figured we'd go hit up the farmer's market. Always a good time, and some good grub! Nic was getting some great snuggles...

We loaded up with roasted corn, peaches, popping corn {so.much.fun}, peppers for my salsa, watermelon, and some fresh tamales. It was fabulous~

This Parke is a momma's boy, and I can't get enough of him.

The next morning on our way out the door to church~

This sissy is her daddy's girl~

When we got home~ something inspired the kiddo's to write their Christmas wish list's and mail them off to Santa. Hmmm... Santa better get busy!

{notice the 'claws' rather than 'clause'...

you better believe I wasn't about to correct that, so precious.}

Nic throwing our corn on the grill~

Roasted corn~

If you haven't tried it, you must.

Directions: for those interested.

Cut off tip of cob, and remove the outside layer of the husk (do not remove all layers.) I just got mine nice and clean looking. Soak in cold water for 20 minutes. Remove, and shake off excess water. Grill over hot coals for about 20 minutes, being careful to rotate the cobs every few minutes. When ready, kernels will be tender and pull away easily. Dress with desired toppings~ butter, parmesan cheese, lemon pepper, garlic salt, cayenne pepper, etc.

I love when the weather cools down just a bit, and we can enjoy family dinners out back~

Church shirt, ball shorts, and Nerf shooting vest, doing crazy poses atop of the slippery slide... that's my boy!

{a little pep talk from dad}

The rest of the evening was spent throwing the football around, pushing kiddo's in the swing, and watching sis conquer the monkey bars. Doesn't get much better.

~xo