sister fun... craft day

I love crafting with Rachel. We find all sorts of fun ideas, get slightly disappointed when they don't turn out as we imagined, but giggle until we cry trying our best. Loads of fun!!

Framed pin cushions

Framed Christmas ornaments

Framed material / Coaster

I DID NOT MAKE THIS ONE!

My co-worker made me this beautiful fall wreath! I haven't decided where to hang it, yet, but I love it.

Jack

One night I was driving in downtown Phoenix when my tire blew. I pulled over right away. As I was using my tire jack I came across this little guy. How could I not bring this adorable stray home?

We've been friends for about a week now. He passed the ultimate test --- he and Baxter get along well. It sure would've been a long weekend if they didn't, and it would've been so long to Jack. 

I might just keep this little stray guy!?!

(story courtesy of greg)

Utah X's Two

I was able to head back to Utah for two separate trips in September. I loved both trips.

Road trip... jammin' to some tunes on the drive to Utah for my first trip.

I spent most of my time in Highland at my brother Spencer's with his family. My Mom came down a couple times. 

I was able to see some high school and college friends. It is always wonderful to catch up! Sorry no pictures from our dinner in Farmington. 

Luke and I made a hut.

We biked over to the splash pad. Here is Luke enjoying the water. 

I went to the Brigham City Temple open house with my Mom and three of my nieces. We met my sister and her family there. It was great to share in that experience with my nieces. It is a beautiful temple.

I slept over at my brother Phil's house the night before I drove home. Here is Lily all ready for school.

Will playing football. I love his shag!

I was able to see my sister, Amie, and her husband, Mat, and daughter, Brie, on my second trip to Utah. While Mat went to his work conference, we enjoyed the crisp cool weather in Midway. 

Our drive on Alpine Loop

Visiting with Deanna. She gave me a fantastic haircut.

Cousins loving the swing.

Celebrating Jonene's birthday

I watched my oldest nephew, Alex, play in his high school marching band. 

GF chocolate chip cookies

Nestle's chocolate chip cookies

I substituted the all-purpose flour with Pamela's GF mix + 1 extra cup

I am delighted at how they turned out. Yummy! 

month of celebration

I love celebrating my birthday... all month long.

I went to Oregano's Pizzeria with Rachel and Zac last Saturday.  My bishop brought me Apple Walnut cake with cream cheese frosting on Sunday. And tonight I met up with a few girlfriends of dinner at Cheesecake Factory! I am blessed. 

Amber, Jen, Me, Wendy, Maya (left to right)

happy finds

Here are some of my most favorite house decor finds. 

Letter from World Market

Scented bird from Pink Zebra Boutique

Samsung television from Costco

Receiver from Zac and Rachel

PS3 from Walmart

Fall owl from Michael's

Covered canvas made by me and Amber Stone

I also made another throw pillow with the leftover material

Lamp from Target

Bird stick given to me by Rachel from Pink Zebra Boutique 

stretchy skirt

I've been wanting to make a comfortable pencil skirt for awhile now. I found this tutorial and decided to try it out today. What do you think? Thanks to my friend, Emily, I have some awesome stiletto's!

Sacramento and my 31st birthday!

I had an amazing trip to Sacramento, California for my 31st birthday. I spent the weekend with my bestest friend, Kristen. We visited, BBQ'd, swam, ate lots of good food, and shopped!!! Here are a few pictures of us after church at the Sacramento Temple.

I also spent a couple of days with my sorority sister, Emily. It had been almost 10 years. We enjoyed a night out for sushi and the new Borne Legacy movie. Here are a few pictures from our lunch outing with her girls, Sophia and Zoe. 

I couldn't have asked for a better birthday getaway. 

family fun 2012

Vacations go by too quickly. Utah was beautiful! But I am excited to sleep in my bed tonight.

It was fantastic getting together with my Mom, siblings, in-laws, nephews & nieces in Heber City, Utah for our family reunion. We enjoyed playing in the cold pool, chasing the kids, visiting until all hours of the night, indulging in some delicious foods, and hiking.

the grandkids

My brother, Spencer, encouraged us to run in the American Fork 5k the Saturday of our reunion. Spencer and my brother-in-law, Zac Coplan, ran the 1/2 marathon while my sisters, Amie & Rachel, and I jogged the 5k. I'm glad we participated in memory of our Dad.

it's party time!!!!

I heart dinner parties. I love the planning. I love the shopping. I love the decorating. I love the food. I love the friends. I love it all. 

I had a few girlfriends over last weekend. Everyone contributed and it turned out great. We ate. We visited. We laughed. We listened to some great tunes. We played with Baxter. We took silly pictures. 

I cannot wait for us to do it again! 

…i am
a sixth child 

a sister
a christian
a daughter
a friend

…i love

to learn

to watch movies

to swing

to dream about house decor

to read 

to spend time with my nieces and nephews

to eat fruit smoothies
to visit the temple
to blog stalk

…i adore

my parents

evening walks

having BBQ’s

dinner parties

handmade cards

beautiful sunsets

hanging flower baskets

…i could live without

ornery people 

eating liver

exams 

people with poor hygiene 

public speaking

monthly bills

…i can never have enough

coca-cola 

checklists 

jeans

sleep

flowers

free time

I stole this from another blog. I thought it was a great way to share a little bit about myself. Fun, eh?

Sewing projects

My little sister, Rachel, has come over a few times for craft days. It has inspired me to be more... crafty?! Okay, I'm not really. I had read a blog a few months back on how to make a pillow. Of course, I didn't tag it or mark it so that I could find it again. I've searched and searched without any luck. So... I decided to just try it out on some scrap material. Low an hold, I figured it out. 

Almost a masterpiece! 

Jenna & Zach Hilton

So... my old roommate got married May 5 on Cinco de Mayo. I took a few snapshots but they are crap compared to their photographers photos. You should definitely check out their amazing wedding pics. It was a beautiful night in Scottsdale. Jenna & Zach are wonderful people and such a great couple. I'm sure happy for them.

http://sessionninephotography.com/blog/zach-jenna-a-wedding-story/

Memorial Day

A day of remembrance. I am grateful for those men and women who have died for our countries freedom.

slumber party

I love Baxter.

Jenna & Zac went to San Diego for a wedding this weekend, so it's just me & Bax. We've had some quality time. It's been fun getting to know the neighborhood trails, being lazy, and running around like crazy (more Baxter than me).

Baxter is my favorite. Always ready to snuggle. Always loves me. I might not return him. Don't tell Jenna.

Celebration of Life

Saturday night my roommates from Queen Creek days (Jenny, Trisha, Aubrey, Kari, Daina, & Ashley) got together at my house for Daina's birthday celebration. First gathering at my house. I look forward to more great nights. It was a lovely evening. We had Mexican food, freshly juiced lemonade, and homemade ice-cream. We visited, we laughed, we ate, and we played with the newborn babies (Dean, Emma, & Travis).

I'm so grateful to wonderful friends!! And to be reminded how blessed we are.

Once again, I slacked. No pictures.

homemade ice-cream

is quite divine. I have been wanting to try my Cuisinart Ice-cream maker. Rachel came over Friday night to help me try it out. Oh. So. Delish.

We tried out the simple vanilla and simple chocolate flavors. I am not a hug ice-cream lover, but it's heaven.

locked out

Sure glad that I decided to purchase a security system. I thought it would be a good idea. And I have learned that the alarm system works well. During my orientation days, the door into my garage didn't shut completely. That set the alarm off.

About a week later I get another phone call. It's mid-day while I was at work. So the security company send the police over. After a thorough look-thru they decided that the backdoor was unlocked & the wind was strong enough to move it just enough to set my alarm off. Lovely!

I got home from work around 9:30 pm. Locked out. The police decided to lock all my doors, including the door from my house to garage. And why would I carry a key when I come in through the garage? A few phone calls to locksmiths, an hour later, and still locked out, I headed to my old house. Good thing Amber has a few extra beds so that I could crash there a couple nights.

Lesson learned. I will always carry a key.

i have internet

I did not realize how addicted I am to the internet. I went without it for like two weeks and it was rough. Sure glad that I have it set up now.

Mom's visit

My Mom came down for Mother's Day weekend. It was so nice having someone to help me make decisions about my house, even if we didn't agree on everything. We did a lot of cleaning, shopping, unpacking, more shopping, and eating out (since I didn't own a fridge, yet!).

Mother's Day we went to my new ward, then crashed at Amber's house (my old roommate) to make dinner, and then we watched a cheesy film with a few of my girlfriends. It was a great day.

Rachel and Zac had gone to Illinois for Zac's sisters graduation and Mother's Day. So Monday night we all went to dinner. Rubio's = heaven.

I didn't take a single picture of Mom's visit...but I believe she may have a couple. Always great spending time with family.

Moving day

came and went... but it still seems like I am unpacking and sorting and deciding what is necessary to purchase and what is a want!

I have the most amazing friends --- Becca & Caleb and Peter & Kelly! Thanks for helping me move!!

I am learning that houses are expensive. Luckily, a lot of these expenses are a one time thing. My house will be put together slowly. But it is super fun to dream about what could be done in the space that I have now.

Ms. Homeowner

Today everything became official. I signed my life away Friday evening and today the Seller signed & received the loan money. Yay! Keys have been given to Zac for me. Thurs is the big move date!

Waiting

After the house appraisal came through, there has been lots of anticipation. I did my final walk-thru of the house on Thurs. Then I got the phone call yesterday afternoon that everything was set for me to sign that day. Since the seller is out of state he will receive the documents on Monday. As long as everything continues to go smoothly, I should be handed the house keys. Yay!!

appraisal

The house appraisal came through today without any set-backs. Just waiting to close on the house the beginning of May, and then it'll be time to move!

craft day

Rachel and I spent the evening crafting away. I made an accent pillow for my bedroom and finally finished my fabric chandelier while Rachel worked on a couple different sewing projects. It was great fun! We enjoyed some In-and-Out burgers with some Pepsi Throwbacks while jamming to my latest favorite band, Fun.

Rachel and I have designated on of my future rooms as our 'Craft Room' as long as I get the house. I am looking forward to more craft days.

buying a home

I am in the process of buying this home, as long as the appraisal comes through okay! House hunting is quite an experience. I have reviewed many MLS listings at http://www.real-estatearizona.com/ --- and thanks to Zac Coplan, my brother-in-law, for putting up with all my days walking through homes! It is an emotional roller-coaster trying to buy a home. Crossing my fingers that all the last minute details work out in my favor!