My first quote printable!!!

I'm so excited to have made my very first "church quote" printable. I'm still getting used to this, but I'm so happy! This quote is from President Henry B. Eyring's talk from the October 2013 General Conference called "To My Grandchildren." I'm teaching it in Relief Society tomorrow!

Princess Dolls

So, I've decided to pick myself up and get back to posting stuff. Some people asked about my peg dolls I recently made, so I thought I would share!

First, I saw this post by Lil Blue Boo and loved it. Then I walked into this local craft place - just a modge podge of local crafter's goods - and saw these peg dolls!

 That was a YEAR ago people. I am as good at finishing projects as I am at blogging. 

After I finally purchased new paint brushes (the littles all destroyed mine) I decided to finish these buggers! 

First, I looked at pictures and drew with a pencil what I wanted to paint.

 Then, I used my box o' paint and painted them up! Some took three, but most took two coats. 

 I outlined them in black after the colors were all done. Then added pom poms for buns and small jewels on some. Not bad for a mama with a hand tremor! lol

Here they all are! From left to right there is: Snow White, Jasmine, Pocahontas, Rapunzel

 Tiana, Ariel, Aurora, Merida

Mulan, Cinderella, and Belle

AREN'T THEY AWESOME!? I'm super proud. I even downloaded the Box o' Princesses from Lil' Blue Boo to go with them! Now they are an awesome quiet church toy. I'm even thinking about selling sets. I don't know, would you buy them?

Still Too Much Snow and Progress Inside!

So we still have a TON of snow even though we have had a few melting days. At one point I gave the kids water bottles filled with food coloring and let them run like crazy banshees on the snow. Yes... that is the TOP of our trampoline frame. Lovely huh? At one point this winter, the snow actually covered the whole thing so you couldn't even see it. Scary.

Also, since the outside world was so depressing, we decided to continue on with the inside. We were beyond thrilled to start painting again and Honey LOVED my idea for brown and it turned out AMAZING! Just look at that rich chocolate color? It's so nice, I can't even tell you. We still have to paint the wall with the computer on it, but that will come. Progress is progress!!! The shelves we got from IKEA. That's when we took our spur of the moment trip to Minneapolis, MN and got them. Aren't they lovely?? Love it.

Also, the room above the kitchen is getting the love it soooooooo desperately deserves. Well, at least a little....more to come soon.

Mall of America Part 2

So after we did the whole aquarium thing, we took the kids to the theme park, Nickelodeon Universe and took them on rides. This was a great idea except for two things. 1. There were a ton of people there and it seemed way more crowded suddenly... and 2. The kids were afraid of the rides.

After going on a few rides, we decided to take a break and get the kids their surprises and then head back to the hotel (we had all day passes to the theme park). Our first stop was the LEGO store! We did not tell the kids we were going to buy them something. Karate Kid and Honey were looking around and my husband asked him what he wanted most....and he got it.

The second stop was to the American Girl store. Little Miss has BEGGED and BEGGED for a doll, but they're DANGED EXPENSIVE! Don't get me wrong, they're great, just $$$$$! lol But, we decided it was time, much to Honey's chagrin.

Saige! The Girl of the Year for 2013

Back at the hotel, the kids attacked their gifts! It was fun to see. Everyone was happy and daddy passed out on the bed. I was doing great until Chickie flung herself backwards and landed squarely on my nose. That hurt for WEEKS!

Me, checking for bruising.

After all that, we got our shelves from IKEA and made it home that Sunday. What a fabulously random vacation! The kids have asked us to do it again next year! lol We'll see!

Spontaneous Trip to Mall of America....Part 1

I told you I was going to drag it out....lol Anyways, we decided on a Thursday night that we were going to take our family to the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. Roughly 7 hours away...which is closer than anything else.

When we got there, the kids finally figured out that we were staying the night...and the next day when we went to the mall, they were over the moon! First we went the the Aquarium, which is in the basement of this huge mall. I know.... a claustrophobic person's nightmare, for sure.

It was awesome though. The kids got to touch Chocolate Chip Starfish, see Moon Jellyfish and Manta Rays, Sharks and more! The loved it....until Karate Kid got upset at the idea that there might be a possibility of the sharks getting THROUGH the glass. Then it was not so fun. It took a while to convince. Sorry for blurry pics, there was no flash allowed!

Dad's Cayman shot!

I know I stink at Blogging...tell me something I DON'T know.

So I guess it's no big secret that I stink at blogging....and I guess there is something to be said about me trying over and over....and over and over... again. So..I get to go through and bring everyone up to speed....in a few posts... you know, so I can drag it all out.

In early February, we had Winter Carnival! That's where the local college students and groups do snow statues!!! Here's a look at the ones we saw. The theme was "Heroes and Villains find their powers, in these frozen winter hours." 

 This was the first place fraternity - they did the Incredibles!

This is Jack Jack

 Second place did the Fantastic Four with the Silver Surfer - he's on the roof!

 Third place was my favorite. It was Transformers! I thought they should have won.

 A few other ones....AT-AT Walker - honey's favorite.

 Plus ninja turtles! You could tell girls made them....how? The little wax turtle.

 And.... Minions! BANANA!

 All in all, it's been an interesting winter..... see some lovely pictures!

Honey Snowblowing!

  We finally had to rearrange the coats and put hooks on the wall in the kitchen because our stuff wasn't thawing and drying off in the mudroom. Looks much better and it makes the kitchen look bigger too!